Australian lawmakers condemn girl’s anthem protest

Harper Nielsen has become a target of nationwide condemnation from lawmakers for remaining seated during the Australian national anthem.

She disrespected the troops, one lawmaker said.

Her state senator, who said she was “brainwashed,” offered to give her “a kick up the backside.” Harper is 9 years old.

She refused to stand out of recognition of the nation’s Aboriginal population, she said, suggesting the country does not represent their interests in the same way it does white Australians. Harper was given detention at Kenmore South State School, and her parents said she had been threatened with suspension.

“When it says ‘Advance Australia Fair,’ it means advance the white people,” Harper told News 9, describing the anthem’s lyrics. “And when it says ‘we are young’ it completely disregards the Indigenous Australians who were here before us for 50,000 years.”

The incident and remarks drew criticism from politicians, including former prime minister Tony Abbott, who suggested it signals “good manners” to stand while the anthem plays.

Jarrod Bleijie, a member of the Queensland Parliament, accused Harper’s parents of using their daughter as a “political pawn” and urged her to stop the protest. “Refusing to stand disrespects our country and our veterans. Suspension should follow if she continues to act like a brat,” he said on Twitter.

Harper’s father, Mark Nielsen, on News 9 called his daughter a “very brave young person” for taking a stand.