Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe has stormed out of a heated Senate Estimates hearing after unleashing on the Albanese government.
Thorpe accused ministers and officials of presiding over the 'genocide' of Indigenous Australians on Tuesday, which is National Sorry Day (May 26), a day for commemorating the Stolen Generations.
She specifically referred to the Bringing Them Home report, the 1997 inquiry that found the removal of Indigenous children breached human rights and could amount to genocide under international law.
'It's Sorry Day. Sorry means you don't do it again,' Thorpe said during the debate.
'Why have we got 24,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care today?'
National Indigenous Australians Agency chief executive Julie-Ann Guivarra said child protection was 'largely a jurisdictional responsibility', and pointed to state and territory governments.
But Thorpe unleashed on the Albanese government, saying: 'This is genocide, taking our children.'
'Do you talk to other departments to stop the genocide? Because under your government, it's increased. It's out of control,' she said.
Lidia Thorpe (pictured) accused the government of 'genocide' against Indigenous Australians
Malarndirri McCarthy (pictured) said Thorpe's comments were 'inaccurate' and 'disrespectful'
'I don't want to come back here next year and ask the same questions. Our people want action, not words.'
Guivarra said the Commonwealth works with the Department of Social Services and state and territory governments through the 'Safe and Supported' framework and Closing the Gap initiative.
She added that the final say on child protection rests with the states and territories.
However, Thorpe said the government was dodging accountability and 'handballing' to states and territories.
'Our people pour our hearts out for removals, for deaths in custody, and nothing happens,' she said.
Thorpe then took aim at the failed 2023 Voice to Parliament referendum, of which she is a long-time critic, calling it expensive and damaging.
The referendum was easily defeated, with just under 40 per cent of voters backing the proposal and 60 per cent voting against.
None of the states or territories except the ACT supported the proposal by a majority.
Lidia Thorpe (standing) stormed out of the Senate Estimate hearings following the clash
'The terrible referendum that we should never ever have had, $411 million spent, for what?' Thorpe said.
'It's taken us backwards. It's given licence to the racists.'
Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy defended the government's call to hold the vote.
'I certainly thank the over six million Australians who said yes,' McCarthy said.
'It was a really important time for First Nations people who gathered at Uluru and requested that we take the Voice to the people. We lost, but that's what happens at referendums.'
Thorpe argued the process was flawed without truth-telling about Australian history first, adding: 'Why would we ask racists to say yes to us having anything?'
McCarthy reminded Thorpe she campaigned against the referendum.
'If I recall, you actually joined them in that, Senator Thorpe, in saying no,' McCarthy said.
But Thorpe defended her position, saying it was a 'common sense no' based on the repercussions of 'asking racists to agree with us having any kind of say in our lives and look what we're seeing'.
The clash escalated further when Thorpe accused McCarthy of 'doing the job of the coloniser'.
'That is completely inaccurate and very disrespectful,' McCarthy replied, demanding 'dignity and respect' in the committee.
After more interjections, Thorpe left the hearing, angrily yelling: 'Have a nice day.'