Senator Lidia Thorpe stands by controversial outburst against King Charles

Despite facing widespread condemnation for her protest at Parliament House toward King Charles, Senator Lidia Thorpe has justified her actions.

Thorpe made headlines around the globe when she confronted King Charles at Parliament House, declaring “you are not our king” in a passionate protest.

The incident unfolded following the King’s speech, in which he paid tribute to the progress Australia had made since his first visit to the country in 1966. As the King finished speaking, Senator Thorpe began shouting at the Monarch as she approached the front of the room.

“You are not our king. You are not sovereign. You are not our king. You are not sovereign,” she said.

“You committed genocide against our people. Give us our land back. Give us what you stole from us – our bones, our skulls, our babies, our people.

“You destroyed our land. Give us a treaty. We want treaty.”

Security swiftly intervened and escorted Senator Thorpe from the building as King Charles spoke with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Following the incident, Senator Thorpe told ABC Radio that she confronted the King at Parliament House after repeated written requests for a “respectful conversation” were allegedly ignored.

“That wasn’t afforded to me, so I did that for my people. I did that for my grandmother, and I wanted the world to know that we need a treaty here and we want an end to this ongoing war against first peoples in this country,” she said.

“I don’t subscribe to assimilating myself into the colonial structure.

“Why doesn’t he say, I am sorry for the many, many thousands of massacres that happened in this country and that my ancestors and my kingdom are responsible for that.”

Despite her defence, Senator Thorpe has faced sharp criticism from fellow politicians.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton labelled the senator’s protest an act of “self-promotion”, suggesting that she should consider resigning.

Labor minister Amanda Rishworth said Senator Thorpe’s actions were “pretty disrespectful and not just to the King, but to the many great Australians that had gathered in the Great Hall”.

While New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said Senator Thorpe’s actions were “grossly disrespectful”.

-with AAP.