This morning, First Nations Elders and community members affected by Genocide across the world will gather on Parliament House lawn to call for the passage of Senator Lidia Thorpe’s Genocide Bill.
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WHEN: 10am-12pm. Thorpe to address crowd approx 10:30AM and address media in attendance after her speech.
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WHERE: Parliament House lawns
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WHO: Senator Lidia Thorpe and speakers from frontline communities who have been impacted by Genocide will share their stories.
This morning, protestors will gather on Parliament House lawns in solidarity with First Peoples experiencing genocide, and to support Senator Lidia Thorpe’s Genocide Bill, which will voted on in the Senate this afternoon.
Senator Thorpe’s Private Senators Bill would strip the Attorney-General of his power to block the prosecution of Genocide and other atrocity crimes in Australian Courts.
Today, grassroots community organisations are gathering to call on the Albanese Government and the coalition to pass the Bill.
From West Papua to Palestine, speakers from frontline communities that have been impacted by Genocide will share their stories and speak about how this Bill relates to their struggle.
Quotes attributable to Lidia Thorpe, Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung independent Victorian Senator:
"It’s no coincidence that Labor suspended me from parliament today. My Bill was scheduled for debate today. This was always a debate they didn’t want to have.
"This government and the opposition have done all they can to avoid accountability when it comes to justice for First Peoples here and around the world.
"They do all they can to silence me and those who call out Genocide and injustice, and the do all they can to avoid accountability for their complicity.
"My Bill would help get political interference out of our legal system to give victims and survivors of these most heinous crimes a better chance at justice. It would also mean that our government can be held accountable for their own actions, both overseas and here.
"No politician should get to say who can and can’t be held accountable in our legal system, particularly in relation to the most atrocious crimes like genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
"Whether you're a Palestinian Australian who has seen your family murdered in Gaza, or a Blak Mother wanting to hold this government to account for the ongoing removal of First Nations children, my bill would give people in this country a better chance for justice.
"But despite the overwhelming support for this Bill to pass, the committee has ignored the voices of First Peoples, dismissed the cries of those still living under genocidal regimes, and turned their backs on communities and experts.
"Now the Senate has suspended me to shut down this debate. But we will not be silent.
"Australia has been avoiding its obligation to prevent and punish Genocide, and has failed to implement the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, despite being a signatory.
"Supporting this bill means standing on the side of human rights, the rule of law, and everyday people. Opposing it is about maintaining undue political influence over our courts, and providing cover for war criminals.
"It has been incredible to see First Peoples from all over the world come together to support this bill.
"Our struggle for the freedom of all occupied peoples is connected. We will achieve this by standing in solidarity and fighting for our collective liberation."