Suspension, censure 'badges of honour': Lidia Thorpe

Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe continues to speak out after her suspension from parliament. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

Outspoken senator Lidia Thorpe has stood defiant despite everything parliament has thrown her way.

In just two weeks, the Senate has voted to censure and suspend the Victorian politician, while an upper chamber colleague has reportedly sought legal action over a comment she made.

But Senator Thorpe remains unbothered.

Lydia Thorpe says her supporters "are in solidarity to shut down every colony across the globe".

Stretching the limits of her suspension, she entered the Senate press gallery on Thursday morning and called for a "free Palestine" as debate rumbled in the chamber below.

A few hours later, she attended a protest with Indigenous activists in front of Parliament House and said it was the "best day off I've ever had".

"I've been suspended, I've been censured and I wear those disciplinary colonial actions like a badge of honour," she said.

"To see my mob coming from every part of this country, telling the truth about what's going on in their communities ... they are my party room."

Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe
Senator Lidia Thorpe says joining Indigenous activists was the "best day off I've ever had".

The Senate suspended Senator Thorpe on Wednesday night after she threw pieces of paper at One Nation politician Pauline Hanson, with the government, coalition, Senators Hanson, David Pocock and Ralph Babet all voting to oust her.

"The Senate had to push back," manager of government business in the Senate Katy Gallagher said.

"If people saw what happened yesterday, they would not tolerate it in their workplace."

Senator Thorpe insists it is no coincidence she has been suspended on the day her bill was scheduled for debate.

The push would strip the attorney-general of his power to block the prosecution of genocide and other atrocities in Australian courts, though the senator was unable to speak to it in the chamber.

Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe
Senator Lidia Thorpe reacts before her suspension from the Senate, which she says is no coincidence.

However, the suspension ended up working against Labor when its first attempt to guillotine bills in the Senate fell short by one vote.

"They certainly got wedged," Senator Thorpe said.

"While I'm out enjoying the sunshine and good company, they're losing out on passing legislation."

One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson
Lidia Thorpe was ousted from the chamber after throwing paper at One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson.

Senator Thorpe could also face a defamation case from One Nation leader Senator Hanson after she called her a "convicted racist" during a television interview on Nine's Today show.

The Victorian was referring to a November ruling, where a judge found Senator Hanson's 2022 tweet telling Greens deputy Mehreen Faruqi to "piss off back to Pakistan" was a strong form of racism.

Though this was a legal finding, it arose from a civil case - not a criminal case - and lawyers for Senator Hanson said the Victorian's comments were "patently false" and called on Nine to withdraw the allegation and apologise.

But Senator Thorpe has backed her comments.

"Hanson can do what she likes with her platform but I will never stand silent while there's people being racially vilified," she told reporters in Canberra.

All this comes after the Senate officially reprimanded the independent over her protest at a parliamentary ceremony for King Charles during the monarch's Australian tour.

Senator Thorpe said he was "not our king" and accused him of committing "genocide" against Indigenous Australians.

Though a month has passed since the outburst, she still has no regrets.

"We want our land back, we want our babies back, and we do want the king to just f*** off," Senator Thorpe said.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store