Bravo Senator Lidia Thorpe

The day after the royal visit to Canberra, the prominent and almost only media coverage was of Senator Lidia Thorpe halting proceedings in The Great Hall the day before and explaining to the King very clearly what her view of the British monarchy is and what it is responsible for and demanding a treaty as soon as possible. While official guests squirmed on the dais, there was much tut-tutting over such “out of place behaviour and language” with Thorpe’s repeated “F*** the Colony” receiving wide publicity. Senator Thorpe, of course, as a Senator and invited guest had every right to speak in the national parliament building and was very brave to do so at a large official gathering of over 1000 guests. She knew that the cameras would be on her and they were. She made her points clearly, directly to the person now representing the coloniser. The disapproving response was directed towards “who” spoke the words, not what she was saying. It was, in fact, the natural outcome of the failed Voice referendum even though Thorpe herself did not support The Voice favouring a treaty negotiation instead. Whatever your opinion of Senator Thorpe is, it is true that she is, at present, the best and most “out there” performative Australian republican who raises her voice in protest. Long may she do so. The Senate motion to sanction her for the outburst in The Great Hall failed.