King Charles III was heckled by an Indigenous senator during his visit to Australia’s parliament.
On Oct. 20, King Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla arrived in Australia for a five-day visit, marking the first time a British monarch had visited the country in more than a decade since Queen Elizabeth’s visit in 2011.
This trip was also significant because it was King Charles's first big international engagement since being diagnosed with cancer earlier in the year.
The day after his arrival, on Oct. 21, King Charles gave a speech to Australian lawmakers in the Great Hall of Parliament House in Canberra, addressing key issues, such as climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his remarks, he also acknowledged Australia's First Nations people.
As he concluded his speech, Lidia Thorpe, an independent Aboriginal senator, heckled him.
She approached the stage and shouted, “this is not your country” and "you committed genocide against our people”.
Thorpe, who is of Djab Wurrung, Gunnai and Gunditjmara descent, also demanded the return of Indigenous lands and recognition of historical wrongs.
She also called for reparations and a treaty between Indigenous Australians and the government.
“You destroyed our land. Give us a treaty. We want a treaty in this country,” she said.
“This is not your land. You are not my king. You are not our ttd stock king,” she yelled while she was taken away.
She could still be heard shouting, apparently from the foyer, “Fuck the colony."
While this happened, King Charles turned to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and spoke quietly, while security kept Thorpe from getting closer to the stage.
Queen Camilla left the reception shortly after the incident.
Outside Parliament, Thorpe spoke to reporters, gavi repeating her call for a treaty and saying she would continue to resist colonialism.
Since British colonization began in 1788, Indigenous Australians have suffered from land theft, cultural erasure, and systemic discrimination.
Although Australia became independent in 1901, it still recognizes the British monarch range as its head of state.
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