Senator Lidia Thorpe has expressed no regrets for her actions that led to her suspension from the Senate, which she claims was a punishment for speaking out against racism. The former Greens senator was suspended for the remainder of the sitting year after tearing up a motion from Senator Pauline Hanson and throwing it at her. This incident occurred after Senator Hanson questioned the eligibility of Senator Fatima Payman to sit in parliament, igniting a heated exchange. Senator Payman accused Senator Hanson of racism before retracting her statement. The suspension was supported by members of the government, opposition, One Nation, and crossbenchers, who collectively voted to remove Senator Thorpe from the chamber until the final sitting day of the year. Senator Thorpe voiced her concerns in interviews, stating that the Senate was quick to punish a black woman for calling out racism. She emphasized her commitment to standing against racism, saying, “It’s been a horrible week… I ripped up a piece of paper”. Senator Hanson has faced accusations of racism in the past, including a recent ruling that she racially vilified Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi in a tweet. Following Thorpe’s interviews, Senator Hanson issued a warning to media outlets regarding the claims made against her. Finance Minister Katy Gallagher condemned Senator Thorpe’s behaviour, indicating that such actions would not be tolerated in any workplace. She highlighted the need for appropriate conduct in the Senate, regardless of personal opinions on individual senators. Senator Thorpe believes her actions highlight the necessity for an inquiry into racism within parliament, pointing to a perceived double standard regarding acceptable behaviour among senators. In a statement, Senator Hanson criticized the disrespect shown to parliament, arguing that those in power should honor their responsibilities. Recently, the Senate voted to initiate an inquiry into racism, which reflects ongoing tensions and discussions about race and conduct in Australian politics. Despite her suspension, Senator Thorpe made a return to the Senate, where she raised her fist and proclaimed “Free Palestine” before departing.
