A Greens senator found herself ousted from the Australian parliament following a protest during a landmark address delivered by Philippine President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.
Senator Janet Rice's protest against alleged human rights abuses unfolded as Marcos embarked on his speech before the federal parliament on Thursday morning.
Rice Gets Escorted Out After Bold Stand Against Marcos
Senator Rice, wielding a sign emblazoned with the words "stop the human rights abuses", drew the attention of both MPs and senators gathered in the House of Representatives.
The demonstration sparked astonishment among onlookers, with one individual denouncing it as a 'disgrace', as reported by Daily Mail.
Shortly thereafter, Rice, accompanied by her colleague Barbara Pocock, was swiftly escorted out of the chamber while Marcos continued his speech.
Expressing her dissent, the senator articulated her dismay on X, formerly Twitter, over the invitation extended to President Marcos to address Australian leaders.
"Under President Marcos Jr, the already-rife corruption in the Philippines is getting worse, and the justice system exists in name only," she emphasized. "It is a grave mistake for the Australian government to give legitimacy to President Marcos Jr inviting him to address the parliament today."
Other Australian senators also took part in the protest against the Philippine president.
Rather than attending Marcos' address to parliament, Senator Jordon Steele-John chose to demonstrate his solidarity with the Australian-Filipino community by joining the protests outside the chamber.
Steele-John called out the House for ejecting Rice from the parliamentary session.
"Today my friend, [Janet Rice], was censured by the Senate for "unparliamentary conduct" by calling out Marcos Jr and the Philippines government's human rights abuses," the senator expressed on X. "If the Libs thinks calling out human rights abusers is unparliamentary then they don't belong in the Senate at all."
Senator Pocock also voiced her dissent on a social media platform, sharing, "The deep, cruel legacy of the Marcos regimes - senior and junior - have crushed community, peasant, women's, trade union and human rights activists in the Philippines."
Albanese Extends Warm Welcome to Marcos
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese conveyed a markedly contrasting sentiment, extending a warm welcome to President Marcos.
"Australia is honoured to count the Philippines as a close friend and strategic partner," remarked Albanese in a statement. "For more than three quarters of a century, our nations have been bound by strategic trust and mutual cooperation."
"Our ties are strengthened by warm and close personal connections, including through the over 400,000 Australians with Filipino heritage who make a wonderful contribution to modern multicultural Australia," he added.
In response to the cordial reception, Marcos expressed gratitude for the opportunity to address the Australian Parliament, regarding it as both a personal and official honor.
"The significant Filipino diaspora, the fifth largest immigrant community here in Australia, has contributed significantly to the economic and cultural wellbeing not only of our country, but yours as well," he acknowledged. "It is also an undeniable indicator of Australia's openness to embrace a globalized and interconnected world."
Marcos, who arrived in Canberra on Wednesday for a state visit, is anticipated to engage in discussions on matters of defense, trade, and cooperation with Australian leaders during his stay.
