Senator Lidia Thorpe has reaffirmed her stance following her suspension from the Senate after a heated confrontation with Pauline Hanson, during which she tore up a motion and expressed her disdain with a middle finger salute. The incident sparked outrage, particularly after Senator Payman, an Afghan-born member, accused Hanson of racism. Thorpe condemned the remarks directed at Payman as ‘disgusting racism’, stating, ‘I am not one to stand or sit silent and allow this to happen. I would do it again.’
The senator’s suspension lasts for the remainder of the sitting week, as she criticized the parliamentary response to racism and highlighted the double standards faced by Indigenous Australians. Thorpe pointed out the frequent punishment of Aboriginal women in political spaces for calling out racism, while white individuals often escape scrutiny.
Government Senate leader Penny Wong remarked on Thorpe’s ‘inappropriate and sometimes abusive comments’, insisting that all Australians should feel safe in their workplaces. The motion to suspend Thorpe passed with a vote of 45 to 11, against the Greens Party’s dissent.
In response to Wong’s comments, Thorpe called for more action against racist remarks in parliament, specifically targeting Hanson’s history of inflammatory language. She demanded accountability for those who perpetuate hate speech, arguing that if racism is not confronted in parliament, it cannot be eradicated in society at large.
The senator’s suspension will hinder her from advancing a private member’s bill on genocide, which seeks to restrict the attorney-general’s powers in prosecuting such crimes. Thorpe questioned the timing of her suspension, suggesting it was suspiciously aligned with her bill’s consideration.
On Thursday, she made her presence known in the Senate by shouting ‘free Palestine’ as she left the chamber, demonstrating her continued commitment to activism. Protests supporting her bill are expected on the parliamentary lawns, where Thorpe plans to join the demonstrations. ‘They may not be able to pass the legislation today because they suspended me for standing up to a racist,’ she declared, emphasizing her resolve to challenge racism at every turn.
