King Charles III of Britain was heckled during a speech at Parliament House in Australia by Indigenous Senator Lidia Thorpe, who shouted that he was not their king and had committed genocide against their people. The incident occurred during the king’s first visit to an overseas realm since becoming monarch. Thorpe demanded the return of Indigenous land and objects stolen during colonization. Australia remains a constitutional monarchy with ties to the British monarchy, despite debates about becoming a republic.
The country has a history of colonial violence against Indigenous peoples, with over 400 massacres recorded during British rule. Reconciliation efforts have been met with resistance, including a recent referendum rejecting recognition of Indigenous people in the constitution. A poll shows that Australians are divided on the issue of transitioning to a republic, with a third supporting the change, a third supporting the monarchy, and the rest undecided.
Thorpe, the first Aboriginal female senator from Victoria, is a vocal opponent of the monarchy. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, a republican, has stated that holding a new referendum on the subject is not a current priority. Despite the controversy, King Charles III has expressed willingness to respect the wishes of Australians regarding ties with the monarchy. The king acknowledged Australia’s First Nations people during his speech, recognizing their cultural contributions to the country. His visit to Australia is part of a larger trip that includes attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com