Lidia Thorpe: Victoria Senator, Activist and Parliamentary Controversies

Introduction

Lidia Thorpe is a Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurring Senator for Victoria who sits in Federal Parliament representing the Blak Sovereign Movement. Her presence in Canberra has drawn sustained attention because she combines Indigenous activism with direct parliamentary engagement. Understanding Thorpe’s roles, public statements and recent disciplinary actions is relevant for readers following Indigenous representation, party dynamics and debates over conduct in Australia’s federal institutions.

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Background and parliamentary roles

Thorpe entered the federal Senate after being preselected by Victorian Greens members in June 2020 to fill the vacancy created by former leader Richard Di Natale. She later served as the Greens’ deputy leader in the Senate from June to October 2022. Though initially aligned with the Greens, she is now identified with the Blak Sovereign Movement and is known for outspoken advocacy on Indigenous rights and sovereignty.

Public statements and activism

Throughout her time in parliament Thorpe has made forceful public interventions. She has described herself as “here to infiltrate” Australia’s parliament, used language such as calling the Queen a “coloniser” during the mandatory oath of allegiance, and heckled King Charles during parliamentary events. These actions have underscored her confrontational style and intent to centre Indigenous perspectives in national debates.

Recent controversies and censure

Thorpe has also been involved in public disputes with other politicians. She labelled One Nation leader Pauline Hanson a “racist” after alleging Hanson called her a “b**”. In 2024 Thorpe’s attendance and conduct were scrutinised: a report in October 2024 stated she had missed 16 of the Senate’s 44 sitting days that year, and she revealed she was recovering from injuries sustained in an assault on 25 May while attending an Australian Rules Football match in Melbourne. On 18 November 2024 the Australian Senate formally censured Thorpe.

Conclusion

Lidia Thorpe remains a prominent and polarising figure in federal politics, blending activism and parliamentary engagement. Her actions and the Senate’s censure highlight tensions over conduct, representation and accountability. For readers, developments involving Thorpe will be significant for discussions about Indigenous political strategies, cross-party relations and the evolving role of independent and movement-aligned senators in Canberra.