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

King Charlie, old mate, how have you been? It's me, Lidia, the angry black woman from Down Under. I hear you have a new representative in the Northern Territory—David Connolly, a man with serious power, a man who will live in Government House and, officially, the man who represents you in the Territory. I'm sure you're aware that he's someone who's mocked Aboriginal culture, made fun of our language, blamed us for crime, joked about domestic violence and attacked trans people online. Oh, and let's not forget that one about the Prime Minister and the whale's anus. Surely you've heard about all of this, Charlie. After all, he is your new man in the Territory, your proxy—your vibe, right?

I'm sure you'd know that the Prime Minister signed off on David's appointment and that, since some of David's unsavoury views have emerged, the Prime Minister has refused to sack him. See, the PM says it would be unprecedented to do that. I guess he's right. There's not much of a precedent in this country for men of power and privilege being held to account for racism and bigotry. I guess the PM could try to change that precedent, but then again maybe he just doesn't care. Instead, old mate Charlie, I thought I'd ask you directly. King Coloniser, is this really the sort of person who represents you? Give me a buzz.

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There's a longstanding convention that we refer to people by their appropriate titles no matter how we feel about them. I'm sure the King of England should be referred to appropriately.

Maria Kovacic (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Thorpe, could you consider using the appropriate title as you proceed.

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

He knows that I call him King Coloniser. He was okay with it when I spoke to him, as we all know. So, King Coloniser, give me a buzz if you want to have a yarn.