Senator Lidia Thorpe has openly defended her actions after being suspended from the Senate for tearing up a motion presented by Pauline Hanson and gesturing at fellow senators. The incident escalated following a heated exchange where Senator Payman, originally from Afghanistan, accused Hanson of racism. Thorpe labeled Hanson’s actions as ‘disgusting’ and firmly stated, ‘What Senator Hanson did to Senator Payman was an act of disgusting racism.’ Thorpe expressed her determination to speak out against racism, declaring, ‘I would do it again.’ She was suspended for the rest of the Senate’s sitting week, prompting her to question the parliament’s handling of racism, criticizing the stereotype of being called the ‘naughty little Blak girl.’ Thorpe argued that there seems to be a disparity in how white individuals are treated compared to people of color when it comes to addressing racism. Government Senate leader Penny Wong commented that Thorpe’s behavior was inappropriate, emphasizing that all Australians deserve a safe workplace. Despite the motion passing, with the Greens Party standing in solidarity with Thorpe, she criticized Wong’s remarks, calling for stronger action against hate speech within the parliament. Thorpe highlighted the necessity of an 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 suspension also affects her ability to present a private member’s bill regarding genocide, which she believes was strategically timed. On Thursday morning, she made her presence known in the Senate by chanting ‘free Palestine’ before leaving the chamber. Protests supporting her bill are anticipated at parliament, where Thorpe plans to join, asserting that her suspension was a tactic to silence her stance against racism.
