Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe has been suspended from Parliament following a fiery incident on the Senate floor involving One Nation leader Pauline Hanson.
In a dramatic turn of events, Thorpe tore up a motion from Hanson and threw it at her during a heated debate, leading to her suspension for the final sitting day of the year.
A Heated Exchange Over Dual Citizenship
Around 6 pm on Wednesday evening, tensions escalated when Senator Hanson raised questions about Labor Senator Fatima Payman’s dual citizenship with Afghanistan. Hanson questioned whether Payman had done enough to renounce her Afghan citizenship, given the complexities following the Taliban takeover.
In response, Senator Thorpe voiced her outrage, repeatedly accusing Hanson of racist behavior. She tore up documents related to Senator Payman’s eligibility and tossed them towards Hanson. Amidst the uproar, Thorpe made a rude gesture before exiting the chamber, signaling her deep frustration with the proceedings.
Labor and Coalition Unite to Suspend Thorpe
In a rare show of unity, both Labor and the Coalition voted to suspend Thorpe, passing the motion with 46 votes in favor and 11 against. Interestingly, Thorpe’s former colleagues from the Greens voted against the suspension.
Senate leader Penny Wong condemned Thorpe’s actions, stating, “There have been numerous instances where Senator Thorpe has made inappropriate and sometimes abusive comments towards other senators, disrupting proceedings by refusing to withdraw.”
Senate Leaders Address the Incident
Senate President Sue Lines explained that she, along with Deputy President Andrew McLachlan and leaders from Labor, the Coalition, and the Greens, discussed the necessary actions following Thorpe’s conduct. “Senators from around the chamber consider that the conduct involved was highly disorderly,” Lines said.
As a result, Thorpe will be unable to sit in the Senate chamber on Thursday, the last sitting day of the year. This suspension underscores the seriousness with which the Senate views instances of disorderly conduct.
Background on Fatima Payman’s Citizenship Questions
The controversy began when Senator Hanson questioned Senator Payman’s dual citizenship status. When Payman was elected in 2022, she was required to demonstrate that she had made efforts to renounce her Afghan citizenship.