Senator Lidia Thorpe has firmly reiterated her stance following her suspension from the Senate after a heated altercation involving Pauline Hanson’s motion. Thorpe, who recently stirred controversy by tearing up a motion and gesturing towards her colleagues, defended her actions as a necessary response to what she described as ‘disgusting racism’. The incident arose when Senator Payman, an Afghan-born legislator, accused Hanson of racist remarks, prompting Thorpe’s fierce criticism of the situation. ‘What Senator Hanson did to Senator Payman was an act of disgusting racism,’ Thorpe stated in an interview with ABC News. She expressed her determination to speak out against racism, declaring, ‘I would do it again.’
Following her actions, the Senate suspended Thorpe for the remainder of the sitting week, igniting a broader discussion about the treatment of Indigenous voices in parliament. Thorpe expressed her frustration over being labeled as the ‘naughty little Blak girl’, suggesting that there is a double standard in how accusations of racism are handled based on the race of the individuals involved. ‘They are quick to punish the Blak woman here for calling it out, but I am responding to racism, and that’s what they need to focus on,’ she emphasized.
The Government Senate leader, Penny Wong, criticized Thorpe’s behavior, highlighting the need for a safe working environment for all senators. Despite this, Thorpe maintained that the focus should be on addressing the racism perpetuated within the chamber. She called for a thorough inquiry into racism in parliament, stating, ‘If we can’t stamp it out here, then we can’t stamp it out for the rest of the nation.’
The Senate recently voted to refer an inquiry into racism to an internal committee, a move that Thorpe believes is long overdue. However, the timing of her suspension raised suspicions, particularly as it coincided with her proposal for a private member’s bill aimed at addressing genocide and war crimes. Thorpe criticized the timing, saying, ‘It is very convenient that I am suspended today when that bill was to be voted on.’
As protests in support of her bill are planned outside parliament, Thorpe has vowed to remain active in advocating for change, insisting that she will continue to disrupt until serious attention is given to the issues of racism and injustice.
