Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to move a motion relating to the censure motion agreed to earlier today, as circulated.

Leave not granted.

Pursuant to contingent notice of motion standing in my name, I move:

That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent me moving a motion to provide for the consideration of a matter, namely a motion to give precedence to a motion relating to her censure earlier today.

Today has been a clear demonstration of white supremacy in this chamber. Not only have the major parties censured a sovereign black senator, but they denied me the right to reply—a basic right in our so-called democracy. This is because they are threatened by our truth-telling and sovereignty as First Peoples in this country. It is the major parties' intention to distract from my protests and the real issue at hand—that is, this country's ongoing colonial occupation, oppressive violence and apartheid.

The colonisers want me to kneel, to be silent, to disappear. But let me be clear, very clear, to everybody here: I am a sovereign Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung woman. My loyalty, my allegiance lies with my people, with my country and with justice, not with a government or a crown that has systematically worked to erase us. First peoples across this earth are rising—oh, are they rising!—rejecting the chains of colonial oppression and fighting back with unshakeable courage.

My sister Hana-Rawhiti, the direct descendant of those who signed the Treaty of Waitangi, tore up so-called New Zealand's dishonest and undermining treaty interpretation bill. The Kanak people are resisting French state and settler violence. And Samoan first peoples boldly challenged King Charles III during his recent visit, demanding accountability for colonial roles. Across the world, first peoples are uniting to declare that the era of silence is over, colonisers. Truth-telling is here, whether you like me or not and whether you like the truth or not. You tell your kids to tell the truth, but you come in here and you tell lies. Shame!

We are uniting around the world and the power of our solidarity will not be denied. Our solidarity leaves no-one behind. We come united in grief, love, joy and life while the colonisers only come with fear and death. I'm just a small part of a long line of people who offend the colonial regime. Look at Cathy Freeman, who was attacked for carrying the Aboriginal flag at the Commonwealth Games in 1994. Eddie Betts and Adam Goodes were attacked for being loud, proud and black on the AFL field. Charlie Perkins, who took our grievances directly to the Queen herself. Yassmin Abdel-Magied, who dared to tweet about refugees on Anzac Day, was vilified by every corner of the media and government. The message is clear: if you're black or brown in this country and you speak up, you will be met with violence, smear campaigns and relentless attempts to delegitimise and erase you.

Throughout this parliament's violent history, those who dare to speak out against abuses of power or human rights violations have faced silencing or punishment. The only person to have been removed from parliament before the laws were changed was Hugh Mahon, a member of the House, who called out the Irish genocide by the British and the taking and killing of political prisoners. Senator Janet Rice was censured for criticising so-called Australia's support for Indonesia's genocide against the West Papuan peoples.

I won't be silent. I'm going to keep calling it out. The Crown is an enabler of the continued genocide in this country, a continuation of its own actions from when their boats first set ashore on our lands. James Connolly, an Irishman who spoke about King George V's visit to Ireland in 1911, put it well. He said:

We will not blame him—

the king—

for the crimes of his ancestors if he relinquishes the royal rights of his ancestors; but as long as he claims their rights, by virtue of descent … he must shoulder the responsibility for their crimes.

Since my protest to the King at this parliament there have been at least three more deaths in custody. Since my protest, we've learned that 66 children have died in the out-of-home care system—the systems that you created to kill us! (Time expired)

Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Trade) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the question be now put.

Question agreed to.

Claire Chandler (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that the motion to suspend standing orders moved by Senator Thorpe be agreed to.