Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe Suspended for ‘Physically Threatening Behavior’
Key Points
- Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe suspended from the Senate for the remainder of the sitting week.
- Thorpe tore up papers and threw them at Pauline Hanson in response to a matter Hanson raised about Fatima Payman.
- Penny Wong said it followed other recent incidents including Thorpe swearing and using offensive gestures.
Labor and the Coalition have taken a joint stance to suspend Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe from the Senate for the rest of the sitting week. This decision came after Thorpe tore up a motion by Pauline Hanson on the chamber floor and made offensive gestures towards fellow senators.
Leader of government business Penny Wong expressed concerns about the escalation of aggression and personal attacks in the Senate. She highlighted multiple instances of Senator Thorpe making inappropriate and abusive comments towards other senators.
Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe called Senator Pauline Hanson a racist and threw documents.
Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas
“All Australians have a right to feel safe at work… this behavior would not be tolerated in any workplace, and we will not tolerate it in our workplace,” Wong emphasized.
Thorpe’s recent actions, including swearing, offensive gestures, and culturally insensitive comments, led to the decision to suspend her from the Senate. The motion to suspend Thorpe passed with 45 votes in favor and 11 against, with the Greens Party voting against in solidarity with Thorpe.
A heated exchange occurred in the Senate when Pauline Hanson questioned the eligibility of Independent Senator Fatima Payman to sit in Parliament. Thorpe accused Hanson of racism and made derogatory remarks towards her, culminating in the throwing of papers at Hanson on the Senate floor.
Senate president Sue Lines condemned the physically threatening behavior, stating that such actions would not be tolerated. She called for a more respectful and orderly conduct in the Senate.
The suspension will prevent Thorpe from presenting a private member’s bill on genocide, which aims to limit the Attorney-General’s power to block prosecution of genocide or war crimes.
FAQ
Why was Senator Lidia Thorpe suspended from the Senate?
Senator Thorpe was suspended for engaging in physically threatening behavior, including tearing up papers and throwing them at another senator during a session in the Senate.
What was the reaction to Senator Thorpe’s suspension?
The motion to suspend Senator Thorpe received 45 votes in favor and 11 against. The Greens Party voted against the motion in solidarity with Thorpe.
What impact will the suspension have on Senator Thorpe’s legislative activities?
The suspension will prevent Senator Thorpe from moving forward with a private member’s bill on genocide, which sought to limit the Attorney-General’s power in prosecuting genocide or war crimes.