In the digital age, social media has become the battleground for political statements and public outcry, with every post potentially sparking a national conversation or controversy.

This was certainly the case for a prominent Australian politician, whose social media page became the centre of a heated debate following the sharing of a contentious image involving King Charles III.

As discussions about personal rights and public personas continue to unfold, this incident serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in navigating fame and public image in the digital age.

Independent Senator Thorpe, known for her outspoken advocacy on Indigenous rights, found herself at the heart of a social media storm when a cartoon depicting a decapitated King Charles III was posted on her social media page’s story.

The graphic image, which was accompanied by the text ‘You are not our king,’ echoed the sentiments Thorpe vocalised during a protest in Parliament House in Canberra.

Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe deleted a controversial image from her social media, which she alleged had been shared without her approval. Credit: Facebook / Senator Lidia Thorpe

‘Earlier tonight, without my knowledge, one of my staff shared an image to my Instagram stories created by another account,’ Thorpe explained on her social media page.

‘I deleted it as soon as I saw.’

‘I would not intentionally share anything that could be seen to encourage violence against anyone,’ she added.

The senator's demonstration was as bold as it was polarising, with her cries of ‘give us our land back’, ‘not your land’, and ‘you are not my king. You are not our king,’ reverberating through the Great Hall.

She also urged the king to ‘give us a treaty’ and was heard saying, ‘f*** the colony’ before security ultimately removed her.

The protest itself was a significant moment, capturing the attention of all present and quickly becoming a topic of national conversation.

Thorpe's actions were met with a spectrum of reactions, from those who lauded her as ‘legendary’ for her audacity to stand up for Indigenous sovereignty to others who condemned the disruption as disrespectful.

Among the critics was former Indigenous senator and Olympian Nova Peris, who said she was ‘deeply disappointed’ at what she considered an embarrassing and disrespectful display during what should have been a respectful event.

‘Her outburst, which disrupted what should have been a respectful event, was both embarrassing and disrespectful to our nation and the Royal Family,’ Peris wrote on social media.

As tensions flared during the protest, the royal visit continued to captivate the attention of the public, with King Charles and Queen Camilla charming Australian crowds.

While Senator Lidia Thorpe’s outburst highlighted the ongoing discussions around Indigenous rights and representation, the royal couple’s warm reception underscored their commitment to fostering positive relations with the community.

This juxtaposition of protest and celebration illustrates the complex dynamics at play during their visit, reminding us of the diverse perspectives that shape our nation’s narrative.

Key Takeaways

• Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe deleted a contentious image that was shared on her social media page without her approval, reportedly showing a cartoon of King Charles III's decapitated head.
• The senator had protested during King Charles' speech in Parliament House in Canberra, making headlines with her actions and vocal opposition.
• The image shared on Thorpe's social media page included the phrase ‘You are not our king’, echoing her comments made during the protest in the Great Hall.
• While Thorpe has received both praise and criticism for her demonstration, she stated she does not endorse violence and that the post did not reflect her values.

We invite our readers to share their thoughts on this matter. How do you feel about the use of social media by public figures to make political statements? Do you believe Senator Thorpe's protest was effective in raising awareness, or do you think it crossed a line? Join the discussion in the comments below and let us know your perspective on the intersection of politics, protest, and social media etiquette.

 

[Isis]

All it got her was distaste for the way she was trying to make her point. Also she must be a little scrambled if she hasn’t learned this fact , nobody owns the land, the indigenous people were the first caretakers. So you can’t take what is not yours. Only 4th generation Australian and my heart misses a beat when I come home from a trip outside of Australia. I am also a caretaker of my home place.

 

[Isis]

If it wasn't for colonisation she would not be here today.

The Governor General should step in snd have this vile creature removed (fired).

Love this answer, so true

 

[graemenash]

"SHE" swore an oath to Parliament to honour our Sovereignty and what was displayed was the direct opposite. She should be removed from Parliament, her entitlements such as long service leave and anything else be cancelled.
If the above is not possible, howabout putting her in stocks as in medieval times for public humiliation, and to set an example for anyone else who decides to humiliate our Parliament.

 

[Isis]

Exactly. I’m sick of all the carry on. First of all I think all who claim to be aboriginal should have DNA tests to see how much aboriginal they have. I’m sure she enjoys all the benefits we have brought to this country. Where are their buildings, bridges, anything other than rock art and middens. We had an aboriginal lady looking after my mother in a nursing home a truly lovely lady whom we hugged to thank her for her care. But she was a true aboriginal.

I remember my dad saying an aboriginal just walks through a bedroom and hangs his hat on the bedpost , Aboridginal.
Having said that I need to be fair, my Scottish heritage is way in the distance but I am still and Aussie.

 

[BigAl6164]

I admire Lidia Thorpe for standing up f[r what she believes in, and for her people. Could she have done so in another way? In the midst of the extravagant adulation accorded the King and Queen of England, it's difficult to see how.

What strikes me as particularly unfortunate is that the media is spending time and energy discussing Senator Thorpe's actions but, as ever, ignoring her *message*. Perhaps if the media were more attentive to Indigenous matters Lidia Thorpe might not have needed to act as she did.

As to using social media, I think it's legitimate, but with caveats. Make the post considered and intelligible. Don't proceed with raw passion, and resist impulse: sleep on the contentious and controversial. If it survives the "Sleep Test," post and be damned!

 

[Isis]

I admire Lidia Thorpe for standing up f[r what she believes in, and for her people. Could she have done so in another way? In the midst of the extravagant adulation accorded the King and Queen of England, it's difficult to see how.

What strikes me as particularly unfortunate is that the media is spending time and energy discussing Senator Thorpe's actions but, as ever, ignoring her *message*. Perhaps if the media were more attentive to Indigenous matters Lidia Thorpe might not have needed to act as she did.

As to using social media, I think it's legitimate, but with caveats. Make the post considered and intelligible. Don't proceed with raw passion, and resist impulse: sleep on the contentious and controversial. If it survives the "Sleep Test," post and be damned!

What a well said post. I hear you. But this person is not doing her cause any good. If not disgust for her actions, not just this one, it invokes laughter and not in a good way.
A friend who is a full blood aboriginal told me that , yes more could be done for them their mindset and way of life that they prefer is different. Bred into them you might say.
Yes, more can be done for this section of our community , but more needs to be done for every section of our community in need.
It is comments like this that need to be followed not the attention seeking for herself spewing forth from this uninformed woman.

 

[BigAl6164]

"SHE" swore an oath to Parliament to honour our Sovereignty and what was displayed was the direct opposite. She should be removed from Parliament, her entitlements such as long service leave and anything else be cancelled.
If the above is not possible, howabout putting her in stocks as in medieval times for public humiliation, and to set an example for anyone else who decides to humiliate our Parliament.

I suspect Lidia spent enough time in the stocks growing up as part of the stolen generation.

Consider this: "honouring" the sovereign isn't the same as slavish subservience and uncritical adoration. Maybe the highest honour we can pay *anyone* is to bring to their attention matters of which they may be ignorant, because it gives them credit for having the capacity to *think*, not simply be an empty receptacle of moderately-sincere pomp and glamour.

 

[Frida1944]

This woman is a complete embarrassment to Australia. She does nothing to advance her cause with her out of control behaviour. I thought there was a law against hate speech. If so, it should come down heavily on her with these sort of antics. Whether or not you are for a Republic, this man is still head of the Commonwealth and should be afforded the courtesy any dignitary receives when visiting Australia.

 

[Ebby]

Lidia Thorpe should not be in Politics. Her display of disrespect for King Charles was disgusting of any Politician whose income comes from the Government coffers. I for one am fed up with all this respect for the Aboriginal people when they don't respect us ordinary Australians. How many times do we have to say sorry for what happened generations ago. I know back then they were treated badly, but, get over it. It was not us, today's people who did this to you but, you keep dragging up the past. I think that you have been treated decently since and should just move on. I am not labelling all Aborigines in this, but the ones that want attention. Lidia Thorpe is one of them. Stop whingeing like a Pom.

Now who is being disrespectful ! don't call people ''whinging Poms''not very nice and so uncalled for .

 

[Isis]

Now who is being disrespectful ! don't call people ''whinging Poms''not very nice and so uncalled for .

Not nice to call,people whinging poms. A term used a long time ago before we learned better, however the rest of your comment was on point.

 

[Littleboy8]

Now who is being disrespectful ! don't call people ''whinging Poms''not very nice and so uncalled for .

Yes I agree with you ebby

 

[Ebby]

Yes I agree with you ebby

Thankyou to you both.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Yes she hates the monarchy but still takes her insane salary from it , hypocrisy at its best

No she doesn't! Her salary is paid by the Australian taxpayer.

 

[Isis]

No she doesn't! Her salary is paid by the Australian taxpayer.

Thanks, never thought of that.

 

[Ittybitty]

She needs to go

 

[Veggiepatch]

Well it’s been said she may have 1% of Aboriginal blood in her.

I don't know where you got this fallacy from.

Lidia Alma Thorpe was born on 18 August 1973 in Carlton, Victoria, to Roy Illingworth and Marjorie Thorpe. She is of English, Irish, Djab Wurrung, Gunnai and Gunditjmara descent.

Quarter caste (25%) might be closer to the mark.

 

[Veggiepatch]

I wonder how much of her $211850 base annual salary Thorpe will return to Australian taxpayer?

 

[Jest]

why did security not jump on her straight away instead of looking like they were brushing away a fly? it looked so pathetic.

 

[getting there]

I agree with Julie and all the others. She is in a position to express her grievances in parliament so why take the world stage?

 

[Rickcb63]

She’s not a senator, but more a court jester !
she’s not black, she’s just an activist trout
why doesn’t she go back to her bikie boyfriend, and disappear !