Senator Lidia Thorpe has expressed that she feels the Senate has punished her unjustly for voicing her concerns about racism, after being suspended for the remainder of the sitting year. The former Greens senator created a stir when she tore up a motion from Senator Pauline Hanson and threw it in her direction, following a controversial question about Senator Fatima Payman’s eligibility to serve in parliament. This incident escalated when Senator Payman accused Senator Hanson of racism, a claim she was later compelled to retract. On Wednesday evening, a coalition of government members, opposition, One Nation, and crossbenchers voted to suspend Senator Thorpe until the close of business on Thursday, marking the last sitting day of the year. In her interviews with ABC and Channel Nine, Senator Thorpe lamented the lack of concern regarding racism within the chamber, stating, “They are quick to punish the black woman here all the time for calling it out, but I am responding to racism, and that is what they need to focus on.” She described the past week as horrific and emphasized her commitment to standing up against racism. Senator Hanson has faced backlash as well, with a previous ruling against her for racially vilifying another senator, which she has vowed to appeal. In the wake of this controversy, Senator Hanson warned media outlets to retract claims made by Senator Thorpe, alleging they were false. Finance Minister Katy Gallagher weighed in, stating that the Senate had no choice but to act against Senator Thorpe due to her aggressive behaviour, which she described as unacceptable in any workplace. Senator Thorpe views the incident as evidence that an open inquiry into racism in parliament is necessary, highlighting a perceived double standard in the treatment of senators based on race. She remarked, “We’re the ones that are the naughty little black girl. And that’s okay if you want to call me that and call me disruptive, but I will not sit there and be silent when people of colour are being attacked with racism.” The Senate has since voted to initiate an inquiry into racism, while Senator Thorpe made a defiant return to the chamber despite her suspension, raising her fist and proclaiming, “Free Palestine,” before exiting voluntarily.
