Senator’s Shocking Threat to “Burn Down” Parliament House Ignites Fury: ‘How Can You Promote Violence Like This?’
- Independent senator Lidia Thorpe sparks outrage with inflammatory remarks at a pro-Palestinian rally in Melbourne
- Thorpe vows to “burn down” Parliament House in solidarity with Palestinians, leaving Sunrise host Nat Barr and Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek stunned
- Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce slams Thorpe’s comments, calling her a “pyromaniac” and accusing her of promoting violence and anti-Semitism
Sunrise host Nat Barr has demanded action from Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek over independent senator Lidia Thorpe’s inflammatory threat to “burn down” Parliament House in solidarity with Palestinians. Thorpe made the shocking remarks at a pro-Palestinian rally in Melbourne on Sunday, leaving many in attendance cheering and Barr appalled.
“We stand with you every day, and we will fight every day, and we will turn up every day and if I have to burn down Parliament House to make a point … I am not there to make friends,” Thorpe declared, sparking outrage across the political spectrum.
On Monday, Barr confronted Plibersek over the government’s response to Thorpe’s comments, calling it “lacklustre” and demanding stronger action. Plibersek condemned Thorpe’s remarks as “absolutely irresponsible” but refused to censure her, saying they didn’t want to give her “extra airtime”.
“What we know for sure is that Australians want to see peace in the Middle East,” Plibersek said. “We’re holding our breaths. We want the hostages returned tonight as they’re supposed to be. We want to see aid back into Gaza, and the rebuilding of Gaza.”
Barr pressed Plibersek on taking official measures to censure Thorpe, asking if there was a step further than just condemnation. Plibersek responded that the issue would be dealt with at a later date, citing their focus on supporting a two-state solution and promoting peace in the Middle East.
Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce joined the conversation, lambasting Thorpe for her comments and accusing her of promoting violence and anti-Semitism. “Senator Thorpe is turning into a pyromaniac,” Joyce said. “Now, she is talking about ‘from the river to the sea’, which has nothing to do with peace, it is to wipe out the Jewish people from Israel.”
Joyce also questioned the motivations behind the protests, suggesting they were more about an anti-Semitic agenda than genuinely supporting the Palestinian cause. “It’s about ‘we don’t like the Jews’. That in itself demands a response,” he declared.
The controversy has sparked a heated debate about the appropriate response to Thorpe’s remarks, with many calling for stronger action against the senator. As the fallout continues, one thing is clear: Thorpe’s words have ignited a firestorm of criticism and outrage that will not be easily extinguished.