Senator Lidia Thorpe has firmly defended her actions following her suspension from the Senate after an incident involving Pauline Hanson. Thorpe made headlines when she tore up a motion presented by Hanson and displayed her middle finger to fellow senators. This event unfolded after a heated debate where Payman, an Afghan-born senator, accused Hanson of racism. Thorpe condemned Hanson’s remarks, describing them as ‘disgusting’ and emphasizing the need to confront racism in the Senate. ‘What Senator Hanson did to Senator Payman was an act of disgusting racism, questioning her legitimacy in this place,’ Thorpe stated on ABC News.
‘I would do it again,’ she declared, reflecting on what she termed a ‘horrible week’ due to racism, asserting her right to speak out against it. Following the incident, Thorpe was suspended for the remainder of the sitting week, which she criticized as part of a broader pattern of punishing Indigenous women who call out racism. She pointed out the double standards in how complaints about racism are handled, saying, ‘It seems like there’s one rule for white people who get away with racism, and another for us when we call it out.’
Government Senate leader Penny Wong spoke on the matter, highlighting several instances of Thorpe’s disruptive behavior and stating that all Australians should feel safe at work. The motion to suspend Thorpe passed with 45 votes in favor and 11 against, with the Greens Party opposing it in support of Thorpe.
Thorpe did not hold back in her response, urging the government to take stronger action against racism within parliament. She criticized Hanson’s history of making inflammatory remarks and the lack of accountability for such behavior. Thorpe believes there is an urgent need for an open inquiry into racism in the parliament, insisting that addressing these issues is crucial for the broader society. ‘If we can’t stamp it out here, then we can’t stamp it out for the rest of the nation,’ she argued.
The Senate has agreed to refer the issue of racism to an internal committee for further investigation. Meanwhile, Thorpe’s suspension will prevent her from introducing a private member’s bill addressing genocide, an issue she described as being strategically sidelined by her suspension. On the day of her suspension, Thorpe was seen in the press gallery chanting ‘free Palestine’ before leaving the chamber. Protests supporting her bill are anticipated at parliament, with Thorpe pledging to continue advocating against racism despite her suspension.
