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.

 

[Poppy67]

All this stuff about Thorpe she should be thrown out of parliament it was disgusting I also note that she did not offer to pay back her salary that the King pays her.

 

[Giannidifirenze]

I have read all the comments about this disgraceful nutter! She should be sacked from Parliment, grow some 'balls' Albo and make an example of her and sack her, end of story!
I am an Australian by choice, but I must say, I am totally embarrassed by her actions and I would imagine that even members of the aboriginal community, would be embarrassed also!

I’m a ‘first nation indigenous Australian’…my parents are European and I’m a first generation Australian born here. Other ‘made up’ definitions may differ to mine but that’s the box I’ll be ticking from now on. And by the way call me ‘Uncle’… I have 2 nephews.

 

[Giannidifirenze]

I’m a ‘first nation indigenous Australian’…my parents are European and I’m a first generation Australian born here. Other ‘made up’ definitions may differ to mine but that’s the box I’ll be ticking from now on. And by the way call me ‘Uncle’… I have 2 nephews.

She’s not ‘House-trained’ and shows traits of a rabid dog.

 

[Scaveola]

A hypocrite as she's getting paid for working in the institution she blames for the plight of indigenous people - some of whom are part of my family!

 

[cblayney]

She is an embarrassment. I agree with Dutton.. if she doesn't like the system leave.

 

[Murf]

I find Lidia distasteful and unacceptable to serve in parliament. There’s a properway to bring things up onto the table for discussion. Anything she shouts about I throw in the littler bin. Therefore, answer is NO to Lidia Thorpe bringing anything to my attention. Just another activist.

And she's paid 250k a year..,where did I go wrong?

 

[Giannidifirenze]

She is an embarrassment. I agree with Dutton.. if she doesn't like the system leave.

I think it’s beyond her choice to leave now the damage is done. Expulsion is warranted in bringing the House into disrepute.

 

[Littleboy8]

I think it’s beyond her choice to leave now the damage is done. Expulsion is warranted in bringing the House into disrepute.

According to her she said she’s not putting herself up for re election wonder why

 

[Bezz]

She is a waste of oxygen and a disgrace to parliament, she should be mad3 to resign or removed from parliament. We don’t need people like her representing our country. She needs to remember it is our country also, not just the people she says she is representing, they are quick enough to take the money from us!!

 

[Mikeyboy2012]

Her staff are a reflection of who Thorpe truly is. A royal-hating, unappreciative, classless person who does not deserve the office she holds, the benefits she receives nor the exposure she attracts.

She's a disgrace to all Australians and is driving a massive wedge between Indigenous and so-called non-indigenous Australians.

I was born here and so were my children. Are we not, therefore, indigenous too? Even though we are not coloured. Unless you include Olive Greek as coloured...LOL!

She is part Irish, English and Aboriginal. Does that make her an insult to her non-indigenous heritage and a hypocrite

 

[Mikeyboy2012]

This woman is a total nut case. What a disgrace to all Australians. We, the taxpayers, pay her wages, she should be immediately kicked out of parliament. How anyone, particularly a Senator in our Government could be so disgracefully disrespectful to our Sovereign King Charles is totally beyond me. Her disgusting antics have brought nothing but shame on our country and it's people. I am totally ashamed of the way this idiot has behaved. She should never, ever have been elected as a Senator.

She wasn't elected. The party she abandoned was elected and she just happened to be on the ticket.

 

[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.

Many years ago an Indigenous girl I was friends with at school made the comment that a few were going to give them a bad reputation and make it unpleasant for others. It seems in many cases her predictions were right. She also maintained she was not stolen - she was saved. A good education, healthy food, a clothing alowance.....and away from a drunken abusive father. One of her sisters was at the same home. They loved it there. They loved the "house parents" who pretty much treated them the same as their own children.
I was continuously bullied at school for months until my friend eventually got angry about it and called them a "bunch of white pigs" because they also threatened to bash me up. They respected me after that. For months she kept apologising to me for what she said to the others. I thanked her for "sticking up" for me. I reported it before the bullies could and explained the reason why it happened. The teachers agreed with me and monitored our section of the school yard more

All this stuff about Thorpe she should be thrown out of parliament it was disgusting I also note that she did not offer to pay back her salary that the King pays her.

The English monarch does not pay the salary of any Parliamentarian. Parliamentarian.

 

[Ann Melling]

The sooner this Violent, dangerous and extreme racist is removed from our parliament the better. How she was accepted there in the first place is a mystery to me. Some people are oxygen thieves and she leads the list.

I can not understand how she was able to change the words when she was sworn in as a Greens Senator that should have been a BIG NO. If you can't swear allegiance then why stand for a seat in parliament? There must be someway they can get rid of her.

 

[Miss Chris]

Personally it didn’t trigger any acrimonious feelings within me. I felt that as an older Australian it was inappropriate. However it did provoke profound reactions in some of my friends, so much so, that one lady could not sleep at all that night.
But we are not indigenous people, so have not felt the racism and rejection, which Aborigines have felt, at the hands of conquerors. Some of us have some sort of ancient knowledge, of being conquered. Mostly through stories passed down through generations. This gives us some idea of the hurt and suffering, the degradation and anger which a conquered people endure. The thing is, that we need to accept that which has occurred, as no one can go back and fix what has happened. It is in the hands of this generation, the population now, to do the right thing and ensure that everybody is accepted and nurtured at every level of society, for as we all know “ There, but for the Grace of God, go I”

Instead of living in the past and referring to it all the time and blaming the past for all perceived injustices…..why can’t people take responsibility for themselves, nothing is going to get any better as long as the past is taking all the blame…..it really is time to leave the past behind and look to the future, I mean, no one is alive from those times, but living in the past anyway…..it’s the present and the future that matters most now……

Study the past and you would define the future. ' — Confucius.

 

[Ann Melling]

Well it’s been said she may have 1% of Aboriginal blood in her. She is a total embarrassment to all of us, the Greens have gone far away from what Bob Browne envisioned as a Greens party who also are a total disgrace. Seems she is just an attention seeker. How on earth can she be in parliament? She made an oath to Queen Elizabeth 11 and to all her family, meaning King Charles as well. Why did they not shut her down sooner? No doubt nothing will be done to like sanctions etc. Or will they?

The oath she made when entering parliament was not legal (as far as I am concerned) as she changed and added words + she had a Nazi salute. She should have been thrown out there and then

 

[Ann Melling]

I find this Lidia Thorpe nothing more than an embarrassment ,how did she got elected to serve in Parliament is a mystery to me and many others she needs to be expelled from Parliament the sooner the better would she be here with out colonization ,i think not.

She certainly would not be here with out colonization, as her father is a white man

 

[Macarj]

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).

She doesn't look Aborigional to me, our brides maid was a full blooded Aborigional and she wouldn't carry on like that sadly she passed away pretty young she was my wife best friend

 

[BigAl6164]

Personally it didn’t trigger any acrimonious feelings within me. I felt that as an older Australian it was inappropriate. However it did provoke profound reactions in some of my friends, so much so, that one lady could not sleep at all that night.
But we are not indigenous people, so have not felt the racism and rejection, which Aborigines have felt, at the hands of conquerors. Some of us have some sort of ancient knowledge, of being conquered. Mostly through stories passed down through generations. This gives us some idea of the hurt and suffering, the degradation and anger which a conquered people endure. The thing is, that we need to accept that which has occurred, as no one can go back and fix what has happened. It is in the hands of this generation, the population now, to do the right thing and ensure that everybody is accepted and nurtured at every level of society, for as we all know “ There, but for the Grace of God, go I”

Well said! A pleasure to read a balanced, intelligent, empathic response, Aunty. Thank you!

 

[Single]

I totally agree with everything that has been said about that disgustingly rude woman. She should not be allowed to continue to “represent” our country with such beliefs. How the heck did she ever get into the Senate anyway?
Please take away her rights as a Senator and make her earn a salary like the rest of us. Revolting excuse of a human.

 

[Single]

Well said! A pleasure to read a balanced, intelligent, empathic response, Aunty. Thank you!

It’s about time this story was put into the historical books and let us live in the here and now. So much of this planet is in disarray due to so many people holding century old grudges. Let us live in peace and harmony and give our future families a life of love, respect and happiness. No more wars or anger!