Senator Lidia Thorpe has firmly defended her actions after a heated incident in the Senate where she tore up a motion from Pauline Hanson and displayed a middle finger to fellow senators. The uproar began when Payman, an Afghan-born senator, accused Hanson of racist remarks, prompting Thorpe’s vehement response as she exited the chamber, labeling Hanson’s actions as ‘disgusting.’ Thorpe stated, ‘What Senator Hanson did to Senator Payman was an act of disgusting racism,’ emphasizing her refusal to remain silent against such behavior. She further declared, ‘I would do it again,’ highlighting her commitment to confronting racism. Following the incident, Thorpe was suspended from the Senate for the rest of the sitting week. She criticized the parliament’s handling of racism, expressing frustration at being labeled as the ‘naughty little Blak girl’ for calling out discriminatory behavior. Thorpe pointed out the disparity in consequences for white individuals regarding racist actions compared to those faced by Indigenous Australians. Government Senate leader Penny Wong condemned Thorpe’s conduct, stating that all Australians deserve a safe work environment, and that such behavior would not be tolerated. The motion to suspend Thorpe passed with 45 votes in favor and 11 against, with the Greens Party opposing the motion in solidarity with their colleague. Thorpe challenged Wong’s comments, calling for more decisive action against hate speech in parliament, particularly from Hanson, whom she accused of perpetuating racism and violence. Thorpe asserted that the recent events underscore the need for an open inquiry into racism within the parliamentary system. She criticized the government for maintaining colonial practices that marginalize Black and Brown individuals in Australia. Despite her suspension preventing her from advancing a private member’s bill concerning genocide, Thorpe questioned the timing of the suspension, suggesting it was strategically aligned with the bill’s consideration. On the same day, she also made headlines by entering the Senate’s press gallery chanting ‘free Palestine.’ Thorpe plans to participate in protests supporting her bill outside the parliament, asserting that her suspension was a direct consequence of her stand against racism.
