Latest news with #LidiaThorpe
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Calls for ‘urgent' investigation into lobbying activities of fracking advocate and gas company
Federal and Northern Territory MPs have called on the Albanese government to investigate concerns raised about the consulting activities of Good Advice and its client, the gas company Empire Energy. Independent senators Lidia Thorpe and David Pocock, as well as the federal and Northern Territory Greens, have called for an 'urgent' investigation after a story by Guardian Australia based on a major leak of Northern Land Council files, correspondence and recordings. The leaked files contain claims that traditional owners were offered financial benefits if they agreed to let Empire Energy sell 'appraisal gas' – which is gas collected during the exploration phase – from its Carpentaria pilot project in the Beetaloo basin. They also reveal serious concerns among traditional owners and bureaucrats about the lobbying activities of Empire Energy, Good Advice and several members of the NLC's full council, who were employed as advisers by the consulting firm in an individual capacity. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email Good Advice is a Darwin-based consulting firm whose sole director is Greg McDonald, a former NLC resources and energy branch manager. The company was registered in April 2023, shortly after McDonald left the land council, and its work involves helping gas companies navigate their relationships with traditional owners in the Top End. McDonald has recruited several members of the NLC's full council, which is made up of 83 Aboriginal councillors from the Top End. According to claims in the leaked material, Good Advice, on behalf of Empire Energy, hosted meetings with traditional owners, company executives and at least two NLC councillors in August 2024 that ran an agenda favourable to the gas company's aims and presented unrealistic promises of large royalties and other benefits. Traditional owners were allegedly told payments could be agreed privately with the gas company, outside the legislated land rights process overseen by the land council. The leaked material also included claims that signatures were gathered and attached to a letter to the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority urging the authority's chief executive, Benedict Scambary, to issue an authority certificate Empire required for working around sacred sites 'as soon as possible'. The letter contradicted earlier advice AAPA had been given from several of the signatories and when officials contacted some of the traditional owners to clarify their wishes they said they did not agree with the letter's contents. When Guardian Australia contacted Scambary, he said: 'The custodians were not aware of what they had signed, and were alarmed by the letter's denial of their concerns about cultural heritage.' According to the leaked material, one of the signatories thought he was merely signing an attendance sheet. Thorpe, a Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung woman, has previously asked questions in parliament about the relationship between Good Advice, the gas industry and some NLC councillors and whether there were potential conflicts of interest in those relationships. 'I have been asking about this issue in multiple Senate estimates and inquiries for over a year,' she said. 'Free, prior and informed consent is an important legal concept for First Peoples enshrined in international law – it means consultation must be free from any corporate influence. 'There must be a proper investigation into these matters so we can understand just how much of an influence gas companies have over First Peoples and our representative bodies, in the NT and elsewhere,' she said. 'If federal Labor prioritised First Peoples' rights over the interests of the fossil fuel industry, they would ensure that these matters get properly investigated and those responsible are held to account.' Pocock said the revelations were concerning and 'warrant close scrutiny'. 'The government should consider an investigation, or a referral to the National Anti‑Corruption Commission, to ensure that any questions about the integrity of these dealings are properly examined,' he said. 'Gas companies seeking to operate anywhere in Australia should be held to the highest standards of transparency and accountability. They must respect the consultation processes that protect communities and ensure benefits are shared fairly.' Greens leader and First Nations spokesperson, Larissa Waters, said the party supported calls from First Nations and environmental organisations for an investigation. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion 'Rather than handing over taxpayer dollars to Empire Energy, the federal government should be supporting stakeholder calls for … the gas company and its consultants, Good Advice, to be investigated by our national corruption watchdog.' Kat McNamara, the Greens member for Nightcliff in the NT parliament, also called for an 'urgent' federal investigation. 'This exploitative industry cannot be trusted. Fracking cannot continue under these current conditions,' she said. 'Across the NT we continue to see the revolving door from government or statutory bodies to the private sector. To prevent community members from being taken advantage of, we must introduce stronger regulations.' Guardian Australia approached the minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, for comment. An Empire Energy spokesperson told Guardian Australia the company has 'a long history of respectful engagement with traditional owners over the last decade'. He said it had held more than 30 on-country meetings and continued to consult traditional owners about current and future works. The company also rejected allegations put to it in a September 2024 letter by the NLC's chair, Matthew Ryan, that it was trying to 'circumvent processes under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act using consultants associated with Good Advice or Mr McDonald', including claims that Good Advice facilitated meetings for Empire and was 'attempting to pass off the meetings as Land Council meetings'. In a letter of reply to Ryan, Empire's managing director, Alex Underwood, said the company was not seeking to circumvent the Land Rights Act and had not engaged in private negotiations with traditional owners via Good Advice. He said traditional owners were informed at meetings he attended, and to the best of his knowledge at all other meetings, that their purpose was for information and discussion and they were not official meetings of the land council. Guardian Australia sent detailed questions to McDonald via email and post, to give him the opportunity to respond to the claims made about Good Advice's consulting work. He declined to reply. The NLC's chief executive, Yuseph Deen, said NLC councillors were considered 'part-time public officials' who often wore many hats and 'are entitled to engage in outside employment opportunities in an individual capacity'. He said the land council 'provides regular governance training for council members, to ensure that members are aware of their duty to declare and manage conflicts of interest appropriately'. 'When council members are engaged in an individual capacity, they are not authorised to speak for, or on behalf of, the NLC.' On Thursday, after formal consultations overseen by the NLC, Empire Energy announced traditional owners had consented to the sale of appraisal gas from its Carpentaria pilot project. Empire Energy recently changed its name to Beetaloo Energy. Do you know more? Email
Daily Mirror
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Senator who heckled King Charles makes rude gesture outside Buckingham Palace
Outspoken Indigenous senator Lidia Thorpe, who previously confronted the King during his visit to Australia, has made a strong statement to the monarch outside the gates of the Palace An outspoken Australian senator has made a rude gesture and strong anti-monarch statement towards King Charles while standing outside the gates of Buckingham Palace. Lidia Thorpe, who previously confronted the King during his tour of Australia last year, took photos while giving the middle finger to the Palace as she wrapped herself in the Aboriginal flag. The Indigenous politician first made international headlines in October 2024 during King Charles' visit to the Australian capital city of Canberra, when she interrupted Charles and Camilla 's trip to Parliament House to protest their trip to the country with a series of anti-monarchist remarks. And while in London this week for a conference, Senator Thorpe stopped by Buckingham Palace, sporting a shirt that read "Blak Sovereign Movement", to hold up the Aboriginal flag at the gates. She posed for a photograph making a rude gesture with her middle finger to the royal residence, which she shared on social media with the caption: "Dropped by to collect all the stuff this lot stole, but Charlie wasn't in." Thorpe's actions divided many Australians online, with many saying that they do not share her anti-monarchist views, while others praised her outspokenness. Following Senator Thorpe's actions in Canberra last year, she was censured by the Australian parliament last November, with a motion passed by 46 votes to 12. It condemned her actions as "disruptive and disrespectful", but there were no further constitutional ramifications. Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese said Ms Thorpe's behaviour was not of the standard "Australians rightly expect of parliamentarians". Despite the censure motion passing, Thorpe said she "did not give a damn", and would continue to be outspoken on her anti-monarchist views. In an interview with Australian public broadcaster ABC, she said: "If the colonising King were to come to my country again, our country, then I'll do it again. And I will keep doing it. I will resist colonisation in this country. I swear my allegiance to the real sovereigns of these lands: First Peoples are the real sovereigns." Moments before her protest, the King had delivered a speech in which he paid his "respects to the traditional owners" of Australia, as is tradition before major events. The King later said he was "unruffled" by the protest and determined not to let it spoil a "wonderful day". Senator Thorpe was sworn in as a senator for the Greens party in the state of Victoria in 2022, during which she described the queen as a "coloniser" before being told to recite the oath as printed on the card.
Telegraph
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Australian senator who heckled King makes rude gesture at Buckingham Palace
An Australian senator who heckled the King has courted controversy again by making a rude gesture outside Buckingham Palace. Lidia Thorpe made headlines around the world last October when she interrupted a reception for the King and Queen during their visit to parliament house in Canberra, yelling 'f--- the colony', 'this is not your land' and 'you are not our King'. In London this week to attend a conference, the indigenous senator wore a 'blak sovereign movement' T-shirt and held up an Aboriginal flag outside the gates of the Palace. She posed for a photograph making a rude gesture with her middle finger, which she shared on social media with the caption: 'Dropped by to collect all the stuff this lot stole, but Charlie wasn't in.' The post sparked division among her followers, with some asking whether the UK visit was being funded as a work trip. One responded: 'Do you know you don't speak for Australia. We actually can't stand you – I personally look forward to your term ending in the Senate.' Ms Thorpe was censured by the Australian parliament last November, with a motion passed by 46 votes to 12. It condemned her actions as 'disruptive and disrespectful', but there were no further constitutional ramifications. The Senate said it no longer regarded it 'appropriate' for her to be a member of any delegation 'during the life of this parliament'. Anthony Albanese, the Australian prime minister, said Ms Thorpe's behaviour was not of the standard 'Australians rightly expect of parliamentarians'. But after the censure motion was passed, the senator said she did not 'give a damn' about it. She tore up the piece of paper while being interviewed by ABC TV, and said that she would use it 'as kindling'. She vowed to repeat her actions if the King and Queen ever returned to Australia, saying: 'If the colonising King were to come to my country again, our country, then I'll do it again. And I will keep doing it. I will resist colonisation in this country. 'I swear my allegiance to the real sovereigns of these lands: First Peoples are the real sovereigns,' she said. Moments before her protest, the King had delivered a speech in which he paid his 'respects to the traditional owners' of Australia. He was said to be 'unruffled' and determined not to let it spoil a 'wonderful day'.
News.com.au
20-06-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
Senator Lidia Thorpe's rude gesture to King Charles III on London trip
Senator Lidia Thorpe has sparked controversy after sharing photos of herself standing outside Buckingham Palace making a rude gesture. The independent senator, who made international headlines after gatecrashing an event during King Charles III's visit to Australia and yelling 'you are not my king', was in London this week to attend a conference. During her trip she donned a 'blak sovereign movement' shirt and was pictured outside the gates of Buckingham Palace holding an Aboriginal flag, making a rude gesture with her middle finger and standing with her hands on her hips. She shared the three images to social media with the caption: 'Dropped by to collect all the stuff this lot stole, but Charlie wasn't in.' The post sparked division among her followers. On Instagram, the reception was largely positive, with multiple users calling Senator Thorpe 'the only Queen I'll recognise' or 'our Queen'. 'This made my day,' one follower wrote, while another said it was 'great to see you delivering your middle finger for his bday in person!' The King's birthday was celebrated on June 14 in the UK. On Facebook, where comments on the post were blocked, others shared the post with less enthusiastic commentary. 'What a shock she did not get an invite into the palace,' one user wrote. 'What a bloody embarrassment,' another said. While the Senator's actions sparked debate online, they were less disruptive than her shock protest during the King's visit to Australia last year. The Indigenous MP sparked international outrage after screaming out 'f**k the colony' in the Great Hall at Parliament House in Canberra shortly after the King had given a speech praising Australia. 'You are not our king. You are not sovereign,' she yelled at the monarch, '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 a Treaty in this country. You are a genocidalist. This is not your land. This is not your land. You are not my king. You are not our king. F. k the colony, f. k the colony, f. k the colony.' She was evicted by security guards who had been watching her throughout the proceedings, continuing to yell as she was removed from the room.
Daily Mail
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Aboriginal singer Miss Kaninna disturbs with appalling act aimed at the King outside Buckingham Palace - as Lidia Thorpe stages her own stunt
An Aboriginal artist has pretended to be strung up with a noose in front of Buckingham Palace while singing a song about killing the King - as Australian senator Lidia Thorpe performed her own one-woman stunt in the same spot. Miss Kaninna, whose real name is Kaninna Langford, staged an impromptu performance of her song 'Pinnacle B****' outside the royal residence in the heart of London this week. 'And I'm running down these streets / Screaming, f*** the police,' she sung as a British police officer walked past in the background, oblivious. While miming a nose around her neck, she added: 'If I ever met the king/ Break his neck with a string'. The short clip ended with Miss Kaninna giving both fingers to the King's administrative headquarters. 'Flew all the way to the UK to play my song in front of Buckingham Palace,' she captioned the post. 'YOUR NOT MY KING !! #Alwayswasalwayswillbe #Aboriginal #Landback #thecolonywillfall.' Miss Kaninnna, a Yorta Yorta, Djadja Wurrung, Kalkadoon and Yirendali woman who grew up on Bruny Island off Tasmania's south coast, released her self-titled debut EP in September 2024. She became the first independent Aboriginal woman to ever be nominated for a debut single at the ARIA awards that same year. Daily Mail Australia approached Miss Kaninna's management company for comment. This publication reported on Wednesday that fellow King-protester Senator Lidia Thorpe is also in London this week. Senator Thorpe also staged her own mini-protest outside the gates of Buckingham Palace. Holding an Aboriginal flag and wearing a 'Blak Sovereign Movement' t-shirt, she also swore at the royal residence. 'Dropped by to collect all the stuff this lot stole, but Charlie wasn't in,' she captioned the pictures. The independent senator made global headlines last year when she heckled the King and Queen during their state visit Down Under. 'Give us what you stole from us! Our bones, our skulls our babies, our people!' she screamed at the bemused monarchs. 'You destroyed our land. Give us a treaty! We want a treaty in this country! You are a genocidialist [sic]!' Thorpe said. A spokesperson for the former Greens Senator said she was in the UK attending a conference. Thorpe's antipathy for the King certainly has not diminished. Last week, on the King's Birthday long weekend, she posted this cheerful message: 'I would normally give presents to someone on their birthday but I think you owe us enough. 'It's time for you to start giving land back and everything else you stole from us.' 'So I'm not wishing you a happy birthday. Can you get it, like, we celebrate a public holiday because of some King that lives on the other side of the world.' 'You are not sovereign. You are not our King - and f*** the colony.' Thorpe's protest sparked a heated debate. 'All hail Queen Senator Thorpe. Thanks for always being the ultimate baddie. We love you,' someone wrote. Another said: 'Yas, show Charles how's is done Sen Thorpe.' But there were several comments telling the senator to 'grow up'.
