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Lidia Thorpe

2024-10-23T01:08:57Z

GraziePrego: /* Controversies */ Per WP:CSECTION, dedicated "controversy" sections are inappropriate for BLPs. I have relocated the content to her "Member of Parliament" section in chronological order. Other minor fixes.

{{short description|Aboriginal Australian politician (born 1973)}}
{{pp-blp|small=yes}}
{{Use Australian English|date=November 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Redirect|Senator Thorpe|the Wisconsin state senator|Frederick Thorpe (politician)}}
{{Infobox AM
| honorific_prefix = [[Australian Senate|Senator]]
| image = Lidia Thorpe 2020.png
| name = Lidia Thorpe
| honorific-suffix =
| successor1 =
| office1 = [[Australian Senate|Senator]] for [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]]
| term_start1 = 4 September 2020
| term_end1 =
| predecessor1 = [[Richard Di Natale]]
| office2 = [[Leaders of the Australian Greens#Deputy Leaders in the Senate|Deputy Leader of the Greens in the Senate]]
| term_start2 = 10 June 2022
| term_end2 = 20 October 2022
| leader2 = [[Adam Bandt]]
| predecessor2 = ''Office established''
| successor2 =
| office3 = Member of the [[Victorian Legislative Assembly]] for [[Electoral district of Northcote|Northcote]]
| term_start3 = 18 November 2017
| term_end3 = 24 November 2018
| predecessor3 = [[Fiona Richardson]]
| successor3 = [[Kat Theophanous]]
| birth_name = Lidia Alma Thorpe
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1973|8|18|df=y}}<ref name="med" />
| birth_place = [[Carlton, Victoria]], Australia
| party = [[Independent politician|Independent]] (since 2023)
| otherparty = [[Australian Greens|Greens]] (until 2023)
| alma_mater =
| children = 3
| relatives = [[Alma Thorpe]] (grandmother)
| website =
| signature = Lidia Thorpe signature 2024.svg
| caption = Thorpe in 2020
}}
'''Lidia Alma Thorpe''' (born 18 August 1973)<ref name="med" /> is an [[Aboriginal Australians|Aboriginal Australian]] independent politician. She has been a [[Australian Senate|senator]] for [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]] since 2020 and is the first [[Aboriginal Australians|Aboriginal]] senator from that state. She was a member of the [[Australian Greens]] until February 2023, when she quit the party over disagreements concerning the proposed [[Indigenous Voice to Parliament]],<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last1=Kolovos |first1=Benita |last2=Karp |first2=Paul |date=6 February 2023 |title=Senator Lidia Thorpe quits Greens party to pursue black sovereignty |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/feb/06/senator-lidia-thorpe-to-quit-australian-greens-party-independent-black-sovereignty-indigenous-voice-to-parliament |access-date=6 February 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=6 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206015845/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/feb/06/senator-lidia-thorpe-to-quit-australian-greens-party-independent-black-sovereignty-indigenous-voice-to-parliament |url-status=live }}</ref> and became a leading figure in the "progressive No" campaign for [[2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum|the Voice referendum in October 2023]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/the-feed/article/these-progressive-no-campaigners-are-looking-beyond-the-vote-heres-what-they-want/tdyj2ilx6|title=These progressive No campaigners are looking beyond the vote. Here's what they want|work=The Feed, SBS News|date=7 October 2023|first=Kathleen|last=Farmilo}}</ref> She had also served as the Greens' deputy leader in the Senate from June to October 2022.

Thorpe has previously been a member of the [[Parliament of Victoria|Victorian Parliament]]. On winning the [[2017 Northcote state by-election|Northcote state by-election]] on 18 November 2017, she became the first known Aboriginal woman elected to the state's parliament. She served as the member for the division of [[Electoral district of Northcote|Northcote]] in the [[Victorian Legislative Assembly|Legislative Assembly]] from 2017 to 2018.<ref name="smh240422" />

Thorpe has received media attention for her support of the [[Australian Indigenous sovereignty|Blak Sovereign Movement]] and her criticism of the legitimacy of Australian political institutions, which she views as derived from colonialism.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Senator Lidia Thorpe makes international headlines after 'colonising Queen' oath |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/senator-lidia-thorpe-makes-international-headlines-after-colonising-queen-oath/ea1ffhmym |access-date=15 September 2022 |website=SBS |language=en |archive-date=15 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915155206/https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/senator-lidia-thorpe-makes-international-headlines-after-colonising-queen-oath/ea1ffhmym |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Early life and education ==
Lidia Alma Thorpe<ref name=abn>{{cite web | title=Historical details for ABN 65 868 640 208 | website=ABN Lookup | date=November 2014 | url=https://abr.business.gov.au/AbnHistory/View?id=65868640208 | access-date=2 August 2022 | archive-date=2 August 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220802074728/https://abr.business.gov.au/AbnHistory/View?id=65868640208 | url-status=live }}</ref> was born on 18 August 1973<ref>{{cite news |title=Lidia Thorpe set to quit politics when her term expires |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/lidia-thorpe-set-to-quit-politics-when-her-term-expires/b7k070prj |publisher=SBS News |date=10 July 2023 |quote=I'm 50 next month ... I don't want to become an old crusty politician with old daggy ideas, we need new people coming in with fresh ideas}}</ref><ref name="med" >{{cite web |last1=Rose |first1=Sheila |title=Lidia Thorpe’s Life: A Bold Voice in Australian Politics and the Fight for Indigenous Rights |url=https://sheila-rose.medium.com/lidia-thorpes-life-a-bold-voice-in-australian-politics-and-the-fight-for-indigenous-rights-8459a192b323 |website=[[Medium (website)|Medium]] |access-date=22 October 2024 |quote=Born on the 18th of August, 1973, Lidia Thorpe grew up in the inner Melbourne suburb of Carlton, where her family experienced the harsh realities faced by many Indigenous Australians.}}</ref> in [[Carlton, Victoria]],<ref name="parlbio">{{cite Au Parliament|mpid=280301|name=Senator Lidia Thorpe|access-date=4 August 2022}}</ref><ref name="birthyear">{{cite news|last1=Wahlquist|first1=Calla|title=Lidia Thorpe 'finds her voice', the first Indigenous woman to do so in Victorian parliament|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/nov/29/lidia-thorpe-finds-her-voice-the-first-indigenous-woman-to-do-so-in-victorian-parliament|access-date=8 February 2018|work=The Guardian|date=29 November 2017|language=en|archive-date=8 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208123852/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/nov/29/lidia-thorpe-finds-her-voice-the-first-indigenous-woman-to-do-so-in-victorian-parliament|url-status=live}}</ref> to Roy Illingworth<ref name="8ffa2e6bb7bdacd273cba5c46f9f7236">{{cite web |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/breaking-news/senator-lidia-thorpe-hits-back-at-anthony-albanese-on-3am-video/news-story/8ffa2e6bb7bdacd273cba5c46f9f7236 |title=Lidia Thorpe's dad says she's racist against whites as she hits back after incident outside strip club |date=21 April 2023 |website=The Australian |access-date=21 April 2023 |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421113013/https://www.theaustralian.com.au/breaking-news/senator-lidia-thorpe-hits-back-at-anthony-albanese-on-3am-video/news-story/8ffa2e6bb7bdacd273cba5c46f9f7236 |url-status=live }}</ref> and Marjorie Thorpe.<ref name="smh240422">{{cite web |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/shouty-uninformed-ineffective-how-senator-lidia-thorpe-annoys-the-establishment-20220323-p5a73j.html |title='Shouty, uninformed, ineffective': How Senator Lidia Thorpe annoys the establishment |publisher=Sydney Morning Herald |date=24 April 2022 |website=smh.com.au |access-date=20 April 2023 |archive-date=2 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220802203258/https://www.smh.com.au/national/shouty-uninformed-ineffective-how-senator-lidia-thorpe-annoys-the-establishment-20220323-p5a73j.html |url-status=live }}</ref> She is of [[English people|English]], [[Irish people|Irish]],<ref name="8ffa2e6bb7bdacd273cba5c46f9f7236"/> [[Djab Wurrung people|Djab Wurrung]], [[Gunaikurnai people|Gunnai]] and [[Gunditjmara]] descent.<ref name="Greens">{{Cite web |title=Lidia Thorpe |url=https://greens.org.au/vic/person/lidia-thorpe |access-date=4 May 2022 |publisher=[[Australian Greens Victoria]] |language=en |archive-date=14 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114150419/https://greens.org.au/vic/person/lidia-thorpe |url-status=live }}</ref>

Thorpe grew up in [[Housing Commission of Victoria|Housing Commission]] flats in [[Collingwood, Victoria|Collingwood]] and went to Gold Street Primary School in [[Clifton Hill, Victoria|Clifton Hill]].<ref name="smh240422" /> She studied Year 7 at [[Fitzroy High School]], Year 8 at Collingwood High, returned to Fitzroy High for Year 9, but left soon afterwards, at the age of 14. She plays [[Australian rules football]] and [[netball]].<ref name=latimore2022/>

Her first job was working with her uncle [[Robbie Thorpe]] at the Koori Information Centre at 120 [[Gertrude Street]], [[Fitzroy, Victoria|Fitzroy]], which at that time was "a hub of Black political activity".<ref name="smh240422" /> She says that from that day onwards, she has worked continuously, apart from six-month breaks after the births of each of her children.<ref name=latimore2022/>

She holds a Diploma of Community Development from [[Swinburne University of Technology]], a graduate certificate in [[public sector]] management and a "Certificate IV Indigenous Leadership"{{Explain|date=October 2024}}.<ref name=vicparl2021>{{cite re-member |title=Ms Lidia Thorpe |num2=127 | access-date=2 August 2022}}</ref>

She became a [[single mother]] at the age of 17.<ref name=latimore2022/>

==Early career==
Thorpe has worked as the Aboriginal employment adviser for the [[Municipal Association of Victoria]] and was president of the Lakes Entrance Basketball Association for three years.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}} She has also been a member of the school council of the [[Nowa Nowa, Victoria|Nowa Nowa]] Primary School, a steering committee for Indigenous administrators and the [[Institute of Public Administration Australia]] (Victoria).{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}} She worked as a [[project manager]] with the [[East Gippsland Shire Council]],<ref name=fellowship>{{cite news|url=https://indigenousfellowship.net.au/emerging-leaders/lidia-thorpe/|title=Lidia Thorpe: Emerging Leader 2008 - 2009|website=Indigenous Fellowship|access-date=15 August 2018|archive-date=12 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180812151055/http://indigenousfellowship.net.au/emerging-leaders/lidia-thorpe/|url-status=live}}</ref> Indigenous manager at [[Centrelink]] and manager at [[Lake Tyers|Lake Tyers Aboriginal Training Centre]].<ref name=vicparl2021/>

Thorpe was the co-chair of the Victorian [[NAIDOC]] Committee from 2014 to 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vicnaidoc.com.au/the-committee|title=The Committee|access-date=5 April 2022|archive-date=2 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302225026/https://vicnaidoc.com.au/the-committee|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/northcote-by-election-2017|last=Green|first=Antony|authorlink=Antony Green|title=2017 Northcote by-election|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|access-date=18 November 2017|archive-date=18 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171118144352/http://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/northcote-by-election-2017/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/northcote-byelection-greens-pick-their-woman-for-key-battle-of-the-north-20170911-gyez5c.html|title=Northcote by-election: Greens pick their woman for key battle of the north|last1=Towell|first1=Noel|last2=Preiss|first2=Benjamin|newspaper=[[The Age]]|date=11 September 2017|access-date=18 November 2017|archive-date=14 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114233925/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/northcote-byelection-greens-pick-their-woman-for-key-battle-of-the-north-20170911-gyez5c.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=fellowship/>
==Bankruptcy==
In 2013, Thorpe was declared [[bankrupt]] with over {{AUD|700,000}} in debts, including monies owed to Indigenous Business Australia and {{AUD|55,000}} owed to the [[Australian Taxation Office]]. She said that her bankruptcy resulted from [[domestic violence]], stating "like many survivors of family violence, I ended up losing everything in a bid to protect myself and my family from an impossible situation".<ref name="bankruptcy">{{cite news |last1=Hore |first1=Monique |title=Greens Northcote candidate reveals abusive relationship led to her bankruptcy |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/greens-northcote-candidate-reveals-abusive-relationship-led-to-her-bankruptcy/news-story/0b53d6f348de3f5aaf783cf11c816d42 |access-date=5 September 2020 |work=Herald Sun |date=26 October 2017 |archive-date=31 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831102149/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/greens-northcote-candidate-reveals-abusive-relationship-led-to-her-bankruptcy/news-story/0b53d6f348de3f5aaf783cf11c816d42 |url-status=live }}</ref> Her ex-husband, who was an alcoholic, confirmed her account of the marriage breakdown.<ref name="smh240422" /> She was discharged from bankruptcy in 2016.<ref name=latimore2022/>
==Victorian Legislative Assembly==
[[File:JMP 6094 (46499665305).jpg|thumb|right|Thorpe at a rally in Melbourne in 2019]]

Thorpe won the seat of [[Electoral district of Northcote|Northcote]] at the [[2017 Northcote state by-election|2017 by-election]] on 18 November 2017 after receiving 45.22% of the primary vote, which became 50.93% after the distribution of preferences.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/Results/State2017/NorthcoteDistrict.html|title=Northcote District By-election 2017 : Northcote District|work=VEC|access-date=9 August 2018|archive-date=9 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809122905/https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/Results/State2017/NorthcoteDistrict.html|url-status=live}}</ref> She was sworn in as a member of parliament on 28 November 2017 and delivered her first speech to the assembly the following day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/first-aboriginal-woman-mp-lidia-thorpe-speaks-of-genocide-lingering-disadvantage-20171129-gzv2ms.html|title=State's first Aboriginal woman MP Lidia Thorpe speaks of genocide, lingering disadvantage|last1=Carey|first1=Adam|work=The Age|date=29 November 2017|access-date=29 November 2017|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201161723/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/first-aboriginal-woman-mp-lidia-thorpe-speaks-of-genocide-lingering-disadvantage-20171129-gzv2ms.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Raue|first=Ben|date=19 November 2017|title=Northcote byelection: Greens' Lidia Thorpe takes Melbourne seat from Labor|work=[[The Guardian]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/nov/19/northcote-byelection-greens-lidia-thorpe-takes-melbourne-seat-from-labor|access-date=19 November 2017|archive-date=19 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171119000210/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/nov/19/northcote-byelection-greens-lidia-thorpe-takes-melbourne-seat-from-labor|url-status=live}}</ref>
Thorpe was the [[Australian Greens Victoria]] portfolio holder for Aboriginal Justice, Consumer Affairs, Skills and Training, Sport and Mental Health.<ref name="Greens"/><ref name=vicparl2021/>

In May 2018, she organised a historic gathering of [[Aboriginal elder|Aboriginal Elder]]s at the [[Parliament of Victoria]] to discuss the state's treaty processes.<ref name="smh240422" /> The meeting was organised as part of Thorpe's campaign to implement clan-based treaties, which would recognise the approximately 100 Aboriginal clans in Victoria. At the time, Thorpe said: "Our sovereignty and each of our language groups and our Clans must be clearly recognised in the government's treaty advancement legislation."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/nitv-news/article/2018/05/14/victorian-elders-call-clan-based-treaties-and-more-inclusion-process|title=Victorian Elders call for Clan-based treaties and more inclusion in process|work=NITV|last1=Hocking|first1=Rachel|date=14 May 2018|access-date=15 August 2018|archive-date=15 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815202151/https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/nitv-news/article/2018/05/14/victorian-elders-call-clan-based-treaties-and-more-inclusion-process|url-status=live}}</ref> The delegation of clan elders unanimously agreed to form an elders council. Thorpe supported the [[Victorian Government]]'s 2018 treaty bill, but stated that she would continue to push for clan sovereignty to be recognised as the treaty process advances.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/victoria-passes-aboriginal-treaty-bill-20180621-p4zmzz.html |title=Victoria passes Aboriginal treaty bill |work=The Age |date=21 June 2018 |last1=Banger |first1=Marie |last2=Offer |first2=Kaitlyn |access-date=15 August 2018 |archive-date=26 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726152434/https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/victoria-passes-aboriginal-treaty-bill-20180621-p4zmzz.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Thorpe lost her seat to Labor candidate [[Kat Theophanous]] at the [[2018 Victorian state election]],<ref name=florance/> with her term finishing on 19 December 2018.<ref name=vicparl2021/> She told ABC Radio Melbourne: "We need to have a good look at ourselves and have a review of what this election has done to our party, losing quite a considerable amount of Greens members." She said Labor ran a "dirty campaign" against her but conceded that negative coverage due to internal party scandals had also contributed to her defeat.<ref name=florance>{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-26/victorian-election-greens-need-to-take-good-look-lidia-thorpe/10553616 |title=Victorian election should prompt Greens to take a 'good look at ourselves', losing Northcote MP says |website=ABC News |publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |last1=Florance |first1=Loretta |date=26 November 2018 |access-date=25 May 2018 |archive-date=26 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126062649/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-26/victorian-election-greens-need-to-take-good-look-lidia-thorpe/10553616 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Parliament of Australia==
[[File:Lidia Thorpe in Parliament 2020.jpg|thumb|Thorpe being sworn into parliament in October 2020]]
In June 2020, Thorpe was [[Preselection|preselected]] by [[Australian Greens Victoria|Victorian Greens]] members to fill the federal [[Australian Senate|Senate]] vacancy caused by former leader [[Richard Di Natale]]'s resignation.<ref name=June2020>{{Cite web|date=20 June 2020|title=Aboriginal activist Lidia Thorpe to replace Richard Di Natale as Greens senator for Victoria|last1=Cox|first1=Lisa|url=http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jun/20/aboriginal-activist-lidia-thorpe-to-replace-richard-di-natale-as-greens-senator-for-victoria|access-date=20 June 2020|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=20 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620062117/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jun/20/aboriginal-activist-lidia-thorpe-to-replace-richard-di-natale-as-greens-senator-for-victoria|url-status=live}}</ref> She was appointed to the vacancy at a joint sitting of the [[Parliament of Victoria|Victorian Parliament]] on 4 September and sworn in on 6 October 2020.<ref name=Appointment4September2020/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/BrettMasonNews/status/1313294977103847425|title=Senator @lidia__thorpe arrives on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country carrying a Message Stick "memorialising the 441 First Nations people who have died in custody without justice" #auspol @SBSNews @NITV|work=SBS News|author=Brett Mason|publisher=Twitter|date=6 October 2020|access-date=6 October 2020|archive-date=6 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006101201/https://twitter.com/BrettMasonNews/status/1313294977103847425|url-status=live}}</ref> She is the first Aboriginal woman to represent Victoria in the Senate and is the first Aboriginal federal parliamentarian from the Greens.<ref name=June2020/><ref name=Appointment4September2020>{{cite web|url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6911014/vic-endorses-thorpe-as-new-greens-senator/|work=The Canberra Times|date=4 September 2020|title=Vic endorses Thorpe as new Greens senator|last1=Osborne|first1=Paul|access-date=4 September 2020|archive-date=4 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404043939/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6911014/vic-endorses-thorpe-as-new-greens-senator/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following the [[2022 Australian federal election|May 2022 federal election]], at which she was re-elected, Thorpe was elected by the Greens party room as the party's deputy leader in the Senate.<ref>{{Cite tweet|last=Bandt|first=Adam|author-link=Adam Bandt|user=adambandt|date=10 June 2022|number=1535136884690927616|title=I thank my colleagues for their strong and continued support. After our best election result ever, I am very excited to be the Leader of an expanded Greens Party Room & leadership team as we fight for action on climate and inequality.}}</ref><ref name="parlbio"/>

In a speech to Parliament in May 2021, Thorpe commented negatively on new bail laws being introduced into the Northern Territory and made an assumption that the [[Attorney-General of the Northern Territory]] was a white male. The attorney-general, [[Selena Uibo]], was an Aboriginal woman.<ref name="uibothorpe">{{cite news |last1=Heaney |first1=Chelsea |date=13 May 2021 |title=NT Attorney-General slams speech from Greens Senator that assumed she was a man who 'hopefully' was white |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-13/nt-selena-uibo-lydia-thorpe-youth-justice-bail-law/100136066 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513153107/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-13/nt-selena-uibo-lydia-thorpe-youth-justice-bail-law/100136066 |archive-date=13 May 2021 |access-date=14 May 2021 |work=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |language=en-AU}}</ref> Uibo stated that Thorpe was not qualified to speak on the Northern Territory's issues.<ref name="uibothorpe" />

In December 2021, Thorpe interjected to Liberal senator [[Hollie Hughes (politician)|Hollie Hughes]] "at least I keep my legs shut", during a Senate discussion about people living with disabilities. When challenged on the remark, Thorpe told the Chamber: "I just got a view of something over there that disturbed me. But I'm happy to retract.” Hughes believed the statement was in reference to her [[autistic]] son, and was reportedly left in tears.<ref>{{cite web |date=2 December 2021 |title=Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe accused of 'legs shut' gibe at Liberal colleague |url=https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/greens-senator-lidia-thorpe-accused-of-legs-shut-gibe-at-liberal-colleague/news-story/0c9d7e078ab0cd95a2b266b06953a4f0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202120712/https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/greens-senator-lidia-thorpe-accused-of-legs-shut-gibe-at-liberal-colleague/news-story/0c9d7e078ab0cd95a2b266b06953a4f0 |archive-date=2 December 2021 |access-date=3 December 2021 |website=news.com.au}}</ref> Later in the evening, Thorpe admitted to "inappropriate remarks" and apologised, but denied any reference to Hughes's son.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/dec/02/greens-senator-lidia-thorpe-apologises-for-disgusting-comment-directed-at-liberal-hollie-hughes Greens senator Lidia Thorpe apologises for ‘disgusting’ comment directed at Liberal Hollie Hughes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227095129/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/dec/02/greens-senator-lidia-thorpe-apologises-for-disgusting-comment-directed-at-liberal-hollie-hughes|date=27 February 2023}}; theguardian, 2 December 2021</ref>

In December 2021, following a fire that damaged the [[Old Parliament House, Canberra|Old Parliament House]] in Canberra, Thorpe was criticised for [[Tweet (social media)|tweet]]ing "Seems like the colonial system is burning down. Happy New Year everyone #AlwayswasAlwayswillBeAboriginalLand". The tweet was criticised by members of both the [[Coalition (Australia)|Coalition]] and [[Australian Labor Party]]. Thorpe deleted the tweet an hour later.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Alex |date=31 December 2021 |title=Probe into Old Parliament fire underway |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7567106/probe-into-old-parliament-fire-underway/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908235736/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7567106/probe-into-old-parliament-fire-underway/ |archive-date=8 September 2022 |access-date=9 September 2022 |work=[[Canberra Times]] |location=[[Canberra, Australian Capital Territory]]}}</ref>

In a June 2022 interview, Thorpe said she was there to 'infiltrate' the Australian parliament and that the [[Australian flag]] had "no permission to be here". Senator [[Jacinta Nampijinpa Price]] denounced Thorpe's comments and called for her dismissal from parliament.<ref name="Graham">{{Cite news |last=Graham |first=Ben |date=23 June 2022 |title=Greens senator Lidia Thorpe said she is 'here to infiltrate' Australia's parliament |url=https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/greens-senator-lidia-thorpe-said-she-is-here-to-infiltrate-australias-parliament/news-story/6d16a6a660f7f55612e20455d28d9fc8 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623064536/https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/greens-senator-lidia-thorpe-said-she-is-here-to-infiltrate-australias-parliament/news-story/6d16a6a660f7f55612e20455d28d9fc8 |archive-date=23 June 2022 |website=news.com.au}}</ref>

In August 2022, Thorpe gained media attention during her swearing-in ceremony. She added the words "the colonising" in the required [[Oath of Allegiance (Australia)|Oath of Allegiance]] to [[Queen Elizabeth II]] by saying "I swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to ''the colonising'' Her Majesty Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Australia, Her heirs and successors according to law." Thorpe was immediately criticised by fellow senators. After an instruction by Labor the [[President of the Australian Senate]] [[Sue Lines]] and interjections from others that the oath must be taken word-by-word, Thorpe recited the pledge once more, this time omitting the two words.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 2022 |title=Australian senator Lidia Thorpe calls the Queen a 'coloniser' in mandatory oath of allegiance for parliament |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/world/australia-senator-lidia-thorpe-queen-coloniser-oath-alleigence-1772330 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801200039/https://inews.co.uk/news/world/australia-senator-lidia-thorpe-queen-coloniser-oath-alleigence-1772330 |archive-date=1 August 2022 |access-date=1 August 2022 |website=inews.co.uk |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Butler">{{Cite news |last=Butler |first=Josh |date=1 August 2022 |title=Australian senator calls the Queen a coloniser while being sworn in to parliament |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/aug/01/australian-greens-senator-lidia-thorpe-calls-queen-coloniser-while-being-sworn-into-parliament |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801202621/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/aug/01/australian-greens-senator-lidia-thorpe-calls-queen-coloniser-while-being-sworn-into-parliament |archive-date=1 August 2022 |newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref>

On 16 April 2023, footage emerged of Thorpe in a verbal altercation with men outside a Melbourne [[strip club]].<ref>{{cite web |date=16 April 2023 |title=Senator Lidia Thorpe in heated exchange outside strip club |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/senator-lidia-thorpe-in-heated-exchange-outside-strip-club-20230416-p5d0w9.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420085128/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/senator-lidia-thorpe-in-heated-exchange-outside-strip-club-20230416-p5d0w9.html |archive-date=20 April 2023 |access-date=20 April 2023 |website=smh.com |publisher=Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref> Thorpe was filmed telling a number of people they had a "small penis" and were "marked". She claimed the men provoked the altercation by harassing her.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McMillan |first=Ashleigh |date=16 April 2023 |title=Senator Lidia Thorpe in heated exchange outside strip club |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/senator-lidia-thorpe-in-heated-exchange-outside-strip-club-20230416-p5d0w9.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420085128/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/senator-lidia-thorpe-in-heated-exchange-outside-strip-club-20230416-p5d0w9.html |archive-date=20 April 2023 |access-date=22 April 2023 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref> The manager of the club claimed she provoked the incident by approaching white patrons, telling them they had "stolen her land;" he announced he was banning Thorpe from the club "for life.".<ref>{{cite web |date=18 April 2023 |title=Senator Lidia Thorpe's strip club stoush |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky2AxUDRXJ4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420085130/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky2AxUDRXJ4&gl=US&hl=en |archive-date=20 April 2023 |access-date=20 April 2023 |website=youtube.com |publisher=7NEWS}}</ref><ref name="under">{{Cite news |date=20 April 2023 |title=Lidia Thorpe says prime minister trying to undermine her following strip club altercation |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-20/thorpe-says-pm-undermining-her-over-strip-club-altercation/102248466 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420222408/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-20/thorpe-says-pm-undermining-her-over-strip-club-altercation/102248466 |archive-date=20 April 2023 |access-date=21 April 2023 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref>

During a parliamentary hearing, while questioning the allocation of community safety funding to Northern Territory police forces, Thorpe walked out of a Senate Estimates hearing after being called a "disgrace to her people" by Labor's assistant minister for Indigenous Australians [[Malarndirri McCarthy]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sakkal |first1=Paul |date=24 May 2023 |title=Thorpe storms out of Senate hearing after Labor MP calls her a 'disgrace to her people' |url=https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/thorpe-storms-out-of-senate-hearing-after-labor-mp-calls-her-a-disgrace-to-her-people-20230524-p5db1c.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524114758/https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/thorpe-storms-out-of-senate-hearing-after-labor-mp-calls-her-a-disgrace-to-her-people-20230524-p5db1c.html |archive-date=24 May 2023 |access-date=24 May 2023 |work=The Age}}</ref>

On 14 June 2023, Thorpe gained media attention after she and [[Amanda Stoker]] accused Senator [[David Van]] of sexually assaulting her during parliament. Van has denied the allegations. He was expelled from the Liberal Party.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 June 2023 |title=Lidia Thorpe withdraws claim against senator |url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/lidia-thorpe-accuses-liberal-senator-david-van-sexual-assault-harassment/918e8516-d114-44e5-9e24-8674f5427768 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615231009/https://www.9news.com.au/national/lidia-thorpe-accuses-liberal-senator-david-van-sexual-assault-harassment/918e8516-d114-44e5-9e24-8674f5427768 |archive-date=15 June 2023 |access-date=16 June 2023 |website=www.9news.com.au}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=15 June 2023 |title=Lidia Thorpe tells Senate she was 'inappropriately touched' in parliament |url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/liberal-senator-david-van-denies-lidia-thorpe-allegations/8872ca7d-549d-41dd-99ad-9e02f90c21cf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616014055/https://www.9news.com.au/national/liberal-senator-david-van-denies-lidia-thorpe-allegations/8872ca7d-549d-41dd-99ad-9e02f90c21cf |archive-date=16 June 2023 |access-date=16 June 2023 |website=www.9news.com.au}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Vyas |first1=Heloise |date=15 June 2023 |title='F*** off': Thorpe fires at Hanson after explosive sexual abuse claims |url=https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/f-off-lidia-thorpe-fires-at-pauline-hanson-in-senate-after-explosive-revelation-of-alleged-sexual-abuse-in-parliament-house/news-story/6129936b915b7a1a56cf2947c1f13aa7 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616021003/https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/f-off-lidia-thorpe-fires-at-pauline-hanson-in-senate-after-explosive-revelation-of-alleged-sexual-abuse-in-parliament-house/news-story/6129936b915b7a1a56cf2947c1f13aa7 |archive-date=16 June 2023 |access-date=16 June 2023 |website=skynews |language=en}}</ref>

On 21 October 2024, Thorpe [[heckle]]d [[King Charles III]] by shouting "This is not your land, you are not my King" and making claims of genocide against "our people", after he finished an address at Australia's [[Parliament House, Canberra|Parliament House]], as part of his royal visit to Australia. As she was escorted away by security, she was heard yelling "Fuck the Colony".<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Watson |first1=Katy |last2=Relph |first2=Daniela |date=2024-10-21 |title=Not my King, Australian senator shouts at Charles |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c79n20r750po |access-date=2024-10-21 |publisher=[[BBC News]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Lyons |first1=Kate |last2=Middleton |first2=Karen |date=2024-10-21 |title=King Charles heckled by Indigenous senator Lidia Thorpe at Australia's Parliament House |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/oct/21/king-charles-australia-visit-heckled-senator-lidia-thorpe-parliament-house-canberra |access-date=2024-10-21 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> [[Ngunnawal]] elder Aunty Violet Sheridan, who had been with the royals at an official greeting party the same day and was sitting in the Parliament House during Thorpe's protest, stated the heckling was "disrespectful" and that Lidia Thorpe does not speak for her and her people.<ref name="scold">{{cite news |last=Collard |first=Sarah |date=21 October 2024 |title=Indigenous elder scolds Lidia Thorpe for yelling 'disrespectful' comments at King Charles |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/oct/21/indigenous-elder-scolds-lidia-thorpe-for-yelling-disrespectful-comments-at-king-charles |access-date=21 October 2024 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> The heckle was also condemned by [[Anthony Albanese]], [[Prime Minister of Australia]] who commented that the heckling was not of the standard Australians rightly expect of parliamentarians,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Furness |first=Hannah |date=2024-10-21 |title=Australian PM condemns ‘disrespectful’ senator who heckled King |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2024/10/21/king-charles-australia-heckled-genocide/ |access-date=2024-10-22 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref> as well as [[Peter Dutton]], [[Leader of the Opposition (Australia)|Leader of the Opposition]], who called on Thorpe to resign from the senate.<ref>https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-22/dutton-says-thorpe-should-resign-on-principle/104500688</ref><ref>https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/oct/22/lidia-thorpe-king-charles-peter-dutton-resignation-calls-rejected-ntwnfb</ref>

=== Relationship with biker gang ex-leader ===
While holding the justice portfolio for the Greens party and serving on the joint parliamentary law-enforcement committee, Thorpe was in a relationship with Dean Martin, ex-president of the [[Rebels Motorcycle Club|Rebels outlaw biker gang]]. Martin had been president of the Rebels in Victoria, and had been charged and pleaded guilty to liquor offenses in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Butcher |first=Steve |date=29 August 2013 |title=Rebels president Dean Martin pleads guilty to liquor offences |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/rebels-president-dean-martin-pleads-guilty-to-liquor-offences-20130829-2ss9c.html |access-date=22 October 2022 |website=The Age |language=en |archive-date=22 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022061936/https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/rebels-president-dean-martin-pleads-guilty-to-liquor-offences-20130829-2ss9c.html |url-status=live }}</ref> As a member of the committee, Thorpe became privy to confidential briefings about [[motorcycle gang]]s and [[organised crime]]. She had not disclosed the relationship, which was only revealed when her staff, who became aware of the relationship in mid-2021, notified party leader Adam Bandt's office and an independent parliamentary authority.

In August 2021, when confidential, law-enforcement committee, briefing documents concerning motorcycle gangs arrived in her office, one of her staffers urged her to inform the party leader but she failed to do so. She told the staffer that "she was being really careful", in that she used [[encrypted]] [[social media]] to communicate with Martin, and that she was deleting conversations between them weekly, while, ostensibly, they would never meet at either one's home. The matter was referred to the [[Australian Federal Police]]. <ref>{{cite web |author1=Jake Evans |author2=Andrew Probyn |title=Greens senator Lidia Thorpe resigns as Senate deputy after undisclosed relationship with ex-bikie boss |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-20/bandt-asks-thorpe-to-resign-as-senate-deputy/101557298 |website=ABC News |access-date=20 October 2023 |date=20 Oct 2022 |archive-date=20 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020031759/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-20/bandt-asks-thorpe-to-resign-as-senate-deputy/101557298 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 20 October 2021, it was reported that, following a complaint from one of her staff, the Department of Finance was reviewing the "culture" of Thorpe's office.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-20/bandt-asks-thorpe-to-resign-as-senate-deputy/101557298 |title=Greens senator Lidia Thorpe resigns as Senate deputy after undisclosed relationship with ex-bikie boss |website=ABC News |date=20 October 2022 |access-date=20 October 2022 |archive-date=20 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020031759/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-20/bandt-asks-thorpe-to-resign-as-senate-deputy/101557298 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 24 October 2022, Thorpe referred herself to the [[Australian Senate committees|Senate privileges committee]] about her relationship with Martin.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lowrey |first=Tom |date=24 October 2022 |title=Lidia Thorpe refers herself to privileges committee over undisclosed relationship with former bikie boss |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-24/lidia-thorpe-refers-herself-privileges-committee-ex-bikie-boss/101570058 |access-date=24 October 2022 |archive-date=24 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024042406/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-24/lidia-thorpe-refers-herself-privileges-committee-ex-bikie-boss/101570058 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Resignation from the Greens' deputy leadership ===
On 20 October 2022, [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC News]] revealed that Thorpe had been dating Martin in 2021. Thorpe resigned from her position as Greens' deputy leader in the Senate, shortly after.

Following the revelation, Thorpe faced a [[censure]] motion in the Senate. [[Australian Labor Party|ALP]] senator [[Helen Polley]], the head of the joint parliamentary law enforcement committee, of which Thorpe had been a member, said, with regard to Thorpe's position as a senator: "She should consider if it's the right place for her".<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/lidia-thorpe-to-face-censure-motion-amid-calls-to-resign-from-senate-over-bikie-relationship/8kanukb8y |title= Lidia Thorpe to face censure motion amid calls to resign from Senate over bikie relationship |website= SBS News |date= 21 October 2022 |access-date= 22 October 2022 |archive-date= 21 October 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221021223428/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/lidia-thorpe-to-face-censure-motion-amid-calls-to-resign-from-senate-over-bikie-relationship/8kanukb8y |url-status= live }}</ref>

Thorpe stated she continues to be friends with Martin.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/bombshell-as-bandt-seeks-greens-senators-mresignation/news-story/adf3151b217081f68291330ff6619e61 |title=Bombshell as Bandt seeks Greens senator's resignation |website=news.com.au |date=20 October 2022 |access-date=20 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-20/lidia-thorpe-undisclosed-relationship-ex-rebel-president/101553386 |title=Greens senator Lidia Thorpe admits to undisclosed relationship with ex-Rebels president Dean Martin while on law enforcement committee |website=ABC News |date=20 October 2022 |access-date=20 October 2022 |archive-date=20 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020014844/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-20/lidia-thorpe-undisclosed-relationship-ex-rebel-president/101553386 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In March 2023, a parliamentary investigation cleared Thorpe of [[contempt of parliament]]. The committee found that Thorpe did not disclose any sensitive information to Martin, but stated she should have declared their relationship to avoid the perception of a [[conflict of interest]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-07/senate-probe-clears-lidia-thorpe-of-contempt-of-parliament/102066122 | title=Senate probe clears Lidia Thorpe of contempt over undisclosed relationship | newspaper=ABC News | date=7 March 2023 | access-date=7 March 2023 | archive-date=7 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307224235/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-07/senate-probe-clears-lidia-thorpe-of-contempt-of-parliament/102066122 | url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Resignation from the Greens party: independent senator ===
On 6 February 2023, Thorpe announced that she would resign from the Greens to become an independent senator, sitting on the crossbench, over disagreements concerning the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament.<ref name=":1"/><ref>{{Cite web |date=5 February 2023 |title=Indigenous Voice to parliament updates LIVE: Lidia Thorpe quits Greens over Voice division |url=https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/australia-should-prepare-for-chinese-spy-balloons-20230206-p5ci3n |access-date=6 February 2023 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en |archive-date=6 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206020117/https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/australia-should-prepare-for-chinese-spy-balloons-20230206-p5ci3n |url-status=live }}</ref> In a statement, Thorpe stated that "This country has a strong grassroots [[Australian Indigenous Sovereignty|Blak Sovereign]] Movement, full of staunch and committed warriors and I want to represent that movement fully in this Parliament. It has become clear to me that I can't do that from within the Greens."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/lidia-thorpe-quits-greens-over-voice-to-parliament/6f80zr453|title=Lidia Thorpe quits Greens over Voice to Parliament|work=SBS News|date=6 February 2023|access-date=6 February 2023|archive-date=6 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206021503/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/lidia-thorpe-quits-greens-over-voice-to-parliament/6f80zr453|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/SenatorThorpe/posts/pfbid02aLLADf1wUsAV2kgCmkkYezv9Y1AQYE6cFw2kZ1pfQY43h2S7mBGSFtiaUzYwtbiPl|title=Senator Lidia Thorpe announces move to Senate crossbench to lead Blak Sovereign Movement|website=[[Facebook]]|access-date=16 August 2023|archive-date=16 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816073843/https://www.facebook.com/SenatorThorpe/posts/pfbid02aLLADf1wUsAV2kgCmkkYezv9Y1AQYE6cFw2kZ1pfQY43h2S7mBGSFtiaUzYwtbiPl|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Various roles and interests==
Thorpe is or has been the delegate for the Lakes Entrance Aboriginal Education Consultative Group, the Victorian representative to the National Advisory Committee for [[The Smith Family (charity)|The Smith Family]], and co-chair of the Victorian [[NAIDOC]] Committee.<ref name=fellowship/>

== Activist ==
Thorpe has supported the ''Pay the Rent'' campaign, which calls on non-Aboriginal Australians to voluntarily pay [[Reparation (legal)|reparations]] through an organisation of the same name.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/pay-the-rent-invasion-day-protesters-urged-to-hand-over-cash-at-march-20200121-p53tdr.html |title='Pay the rent': Invasion Day protesters urged to hand over cash at march |last=Cowie |first=Tom |publisher=The Age |date=21 January 2020 |accessdate=17 January 2023 |archive-date=17 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117140726/https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/pay-the-rent-invasion-day-protesters-urged-to-hand-over-cash-at-march-20200121-p53tdr.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Thorpe has been critical of the ''[[Uluru Statement from the Heart]]'', believing there should be a [[Indigenous treaties in Australia|treaty]] before an [[Indigenous voice to government]]. Thorpe led a walk-out of the Uluru convention, believing that it was "hijacked by Aboriginal corporations and establishment appointments and did not reflect the aspirations of ordinary Indigenous people".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Grand |first1=Chip Le |title=Without treaty, incoming senator can't feel part of 'Team Australia' |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/without-treaty-incoming-senator-can-t-feel-part-of-team-australia-20200625-p55649.html |access-date=5 September 2020 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=25 June 2020 |language=en |archive-date=10 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910211804/https://www.smh.com.au/national/without-treaty-incoming-senator-can-t-feel-part-of-team-australia-20200625-p55649.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On [[Australia Day]] 2019, an inaugural dawn service organised by Thorpe was held at the [[Kings Domain Resting Place]] as a [[Day of Mourning (Australia)|day of mourning]] and reflection on the [[colonisation of Australia]] with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in attendance for the ceremony.<ref name="Wahlquistov">{{cite news|last=Wahlquist|first=Calla|title='Overwhelmed': Hundreds attend first dawn service to be held on Australia Day|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jan/26/overwhelmed-hundreds-attend-first-dawn-service-to-be-held-on-australia-day|work=The Guardian|date=26 January 2019|access-date=16 February 2021|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107232218/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jan/26/overwhelmed-hundreds-attend-first-dawn-service-to-be-held-on-australia-day |archive-date=7 November 2020}}</ref>

Thorpe was removed from the [[Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras]] parade on 25 February 2023 when she had laid down in front of a float in protest against the presence of police.<ref name="HildebrandtABC">{{cite news |last1=Hildebrandt |first1=Carla |title=Federal senator Lidia Thorpe halts Sydney's Mardi Gras parade with police protest |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-26/federal-senator-lidia-thorpe-removed-from-parade/102024664 |access-date=26 February 2023 |work=ABC News |archive-date=26 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226005157/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-26/federal-senator-lidia-thorpe-removed-from-parade/102024664 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In March 2023, footage emerged of Thorpe being tackled to the ground by a police officer while attending a demonstration outside of [[Parliament House, Canberra|Parliament House]]. Thorpe was part of a group countering an anti-transgender rights rally which included activist [[Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull]] at Parliament House. Australian Attorney-General [[Mark Dreyfus]] is believed to be investigating the matter, having sought advice from the commissioner of the Australian Federal Police regarding the matter.<ref name="ThompsonTheAge">{{cite news |last1=Thompson |first1=Angus |title=Senator Lidia Thorpe clashes with police at anti-trans rally |url=https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/senator-lidia-thorpe-clashes-with-police-at-anti-trans-rally-20230323-p5cunr.html |access-date=23 March 2023 |work=The Age |archive-date=23 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323030920/https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/senator-lidia-thorpe-clashes-with-police-at-anti-trans-rally-20230323-p5cunr.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Thorpe alleged the treatment by police constituted [[assault]] and the [[Minister for Indigenous Australians]], [[Linda Burney]], said the incident was “disturbing and concerning”.<ref>{{cite news |author=Paul Karp |agency= |title=Lidia Thorpe's treatment at anti-trans rally 'disturbing and concerning', Linda Burney says |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/mar/24/lidia-thorpe-treatment-at-anti-trans-rally-disturbing-and-concerning-linda-burney-says |quote= |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=24 March 2023 |access-date=4 April 2023 |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404034858/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/mar/24/lidia-thorpe-treatment-at-anti-trans-rally-disturbing-and-concerning-linda-burney-says |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Award==
Thorpe was awarded the Fellowship for Indigenous Leadership in 2008.<ref name=fellowship/>

== Personal life and family ==
Thorpe's grandmother, [[Alma Thorpe]], was one of the founders of the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service<ref name=2011_Vic_AHR>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vic.gov.au/aboriginalvictoria/community-engagement/leadership-programs/aboriginal-honour-roll/2011-victorian-aboriginal-honour-roll/alma-thorpe.html|title=2011 Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll - Alma Thorpe|date=2012|publisher=State Government of Victoria|access-date=6 December 2017|archive-date=6 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206204014/https://www.vic.gov.au/aboriginalvictoria/community-engagement/leadership-programs/aboriginal-honour-roll/2011-victorian-aboriginal-honour-roll/alma-thorpe.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/new-greens-mp-lidia-thorpes-long-road-from-nowa-nowa-to-northcote-20171119-gzodm6.html|title=New Greens MP Lidia Thorpe's long road from Nowa Nowa to Northcote|newspaper=The Age|date=19 November 2017|last1=Carey|first1=Adam|access-date=19 November 2017|archive-date=22 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122114820/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/new-greens-mp-lidia-thorpes-long-road-from-nowa-nowa-to-northcote-20171119-gzodm6.html|url-status=live}}</ref> in 1973, the year of Lidia's birth, and was also involved in the setting up of the [[Aboriginal Tent Embassy]].<ref name="smh240422" /> Her mother, Marjorie Thorpe, was a co-commissioner for the [[Stolen Generations]] inquiry<ref name="smh240422" /> that produced the ''[[Bringing Them Home]]'' report in the 1990s and later a member of the [[Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation]], and a preselected Greens federal candidate for [[Division of Gippsland|Gippsland]].<ref name=latimore2022>{{cite web | last=Latimore | first=Jack | title='Shouty, uninformed, ineffective': How Senator Lidia Thorpe annoys the establishment | website=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] | date=23 April 2022 | url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/shouty-uninformed-ineffective-how-senator-lidia-thorpe-annoys-the-establishment-20220323-p5a73j.html | access-date=2 August 2022 | archive-date=2 August 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220802203258/https://www.smh.com.au/national/shouty-uninformed-ineffective-how-senator-lidia-thorpe-annoys-the-establishment-20220323-p5a73j.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Both Alma and her mother, Edna Brown, were [[Koori]] activists in [[Footscray, Victoria|Footscray]] and [[Collingwood, Victoria|Collingwood]].{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}} Edna had been forcibly moved out of [[Framlingham Aboriginal Reserve]] in 1932, aged 15, before becoming a community activist.<ref name=latimore2022/> Edna was married to James Brown, of Scottish/Australian descent.

Thorpe's sister is Meriki Onus, who co-founded the Warriors of Aboriginal Resistance (WAR) collective that was a driving force behind the [[Australian Aboriginal Sovereignty]] movement.<ref name=latimore2022/>

Her uncle is activist [[Robbie Thorpe]], who is linked to some of the earliest struggles for [[Aboriginal Australian self-determination]], and also involved with the Pay The Rent campaign.<ref name=latimore2022/>

Thorpe has three children<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lidiathorpe.com/about/|title=Lidia Thorpe website|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621191237/http://lidiathorpe.com/about/|archive-date=21 June 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Greens"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/chamber/hansards/b97b0bb9-8120-4b6a-b093-173728d144de/toc_pdf/Senate_2020_12_02_8384.pdf;fileType=application%2Fpdf|title=Senate Hansard - Wednesday, 2 December 2020|date=2 December 2020|publisher=Parliament of Australia|access-date=3 December 2020|archive-date=3 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703013411/https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/chamber/hansards/b97b0bb9-8120-4b6a-b093-173728d144de/toc_pdf/Senate_2020_12_02_8384.pdf;fileType=application%2Fpdf|url-status=live}}</ref> and {{as of|April 2022|lc=yes}} has four grandchildren.<ref name=latimore2022/>

Thorpe was reportedly in a relationship with Gavan McFadzean, manager of the Climate Change and Clean Energy Program at the [[Australian Conservation Foundation]], from 2019 to 2022.<ref name =9newsfb>{{cite web | title=Jilted partner of firebrand senator Lidia Thorpe found out she had an affair with a bikie from news | website=9 Breaking News | date=20 October 2022 | url=https://9breakingnews.com/jilted-partner-of-firebrand-senator-lidia-thorpe-found-out-she-had-an-affair-with-a-bikie-from-news/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020230440/https://9breakingnews.com/jilted-partner-of-firebrand-senator-lidia-thorpe-found-out-she-had-an-affair-with-a-bikie-from-news/ | archive-date=20 October 2022 | url-status=live | access-date=23 October 2022}}</ref>

When asked about her relations with Senate colleagues, Thorpe stated she gets along well with [[Malcolm Roberts (politician)|Malcolm Roberts]] of [[Pauline Hanson's One Nation|One Nation]] and [[Matt Canavan]] of the [[National Party of Australia|National Party]], despite Roberts and Canavan coming from the opposite end of the ideological spectrum.<ref>{{Cite interview |last=Thorpe |first=Lidia |interviewer=[[Annabel Crabb]] |title= VIDEO: Lidia Thorpe on her unlikely Senate friendships |series =[[Kitchen Cabinet]], Season 7, Episode 4 |publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=2023-09-05 |url =https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-05/lidia-thorpe-on-her-unlikely-senate-friendships/102815106}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://indigenousx.com.au/daniel-james-lidia-thorpe-member-for-northcote/ IndigenousX]

{{s-start}}
{{s-par|au-vic-la}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Fiona Richardson]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member for [[Electoral district of Northcote|Northcote]]|years=2017–2018}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Kat Theophanous]]}}
{{s-end}}
{{Australian Senators}}
{{Current Senate crossbench}}
{{Portal bar|Australia|Politics|2020s}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thorpe, Lidia}}
[[Category:1973 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Members of the Victorian Legislative Assembly]]
[[Category:Australian Greens members of the Parliament of Victoria]]
[[Category:Women members of the Australian Senate]]
[[Category:Members of the Australian Senate]]
[[Category:Members of the Australian Senate for Victoria]]
[[Category:Indigenous Australian politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian women politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian politicians]]
[[Category:Australian indigenous rights activists]]
[[Category:Australian people of English descent]]
[[Category:Australian people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:Australian women human rights activists]]
[[Category:Women members of the Victorian Legislative Assembly]]
[[Category:Australian Greens members of the Parliament of Australia]]
[[Category:Australian socialists]]
[[Category:Australian republicans]]
[[Category:People from Collingwood, Victoria]]
[[Category:Politicians from Melbourne]]
[[Category:Gunaikurnai people]]

Lidia Thorpe

2024-02-20T05:43:22Z

GraziePrego: Rescuing 12 sources and tagging 0 as dead.) #IABot (v2.0.9.5

{{short description|Australian politician (born 1973)}}
{{pp-blp|small=yes}}
{{Use Australian English|date=November 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Redirect|Senator Thorpe|the Wisconsin state senator|Frederick Thorpe (politician)}}
{{Missing information|Thorpe's activities and responsibilities while in state and federal parliament|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox AM
| honorific_prefix = [[Australian Senate|Senator]]
| image = Lidia Thorpe 2020.png
| name = Lidia Thorpe
| honorific-suffix =
| successor1 =
| office1 = [[Australian Senate|Senator]] for [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]]
| term_start1 = 4 September 2020
| term_end1 =
| predecessor1 = [[Richard Di Natale]]
| office2 = [[Leaders of the Australian Greens#Deputy Leaders in the Senate|Deputy Leader of the Greens in the Senate]]
| term_start2 = 10 June 2022
| term_end2 = 20 October 2022
| leader2 = [[Adam Bandt]]
| predecessor2 = ''Office established''
| successor2 =
| office3 = Member of the [[Victorian Legislative Assembly]] for [[Electoral district of Northcote|Northcote]]
| term_start3 = 18 November 2017
| term_end3 = 24 November 2018
| predecessor3 = [[Fiona Richardson]]
| successor3 = [[Kat Theophanous]]
| birth_name = Lidia Alma Thorpe
| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1973}}
| birth_place = [[Carlton, Victoria]], Australia
| party = [[Independent politician|Independent]] (since 2023)
| otherparty = [[Australian Greens|Greens]] (until 2023)
| alma_mater =
| children = 3
| relatives = [[Alma Thorpe]] (grandmother)
| website =
}}
'''Lidia Alma Thorpe''' (born 1973) is an Australian independent politician. She has been a [[Australian Senate|senator]] for [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]] since 2020 and is the first [[Aboriginal Australians|Aboriginal]] senator from that state. She was a member of the [[Australian Greens]] until February 2023 when she quit the party over disagreements concerning the proposed [[Indigenous Voice to Parliament]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last1=Kolovos |first1=Benita |last2=Karp |first2=Paul |date=6 February 2023 |title=Senator Lidia Thorpe quits Greens party to pursue black sovereignty |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/feb/06/senator-lidia-thorpe-to-quit-australian-greens-party-independent-black-sovereignty-indigenous-voice-to-parliament |access-date=6 February 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=6 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206015845/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/feb/06/senator-lidia-thorpe-to-quit-australian-greens-party-independent-black-sovereignty-indigenous-voice-to-parliament |url-status=live }}</ref> She had also served as the Greens' deputy leader in the Senate from June to October 2022.

Thorpe has previously been a member of the [[Parliament of Victoria|Victorian Parliament]]. On winning the [[2017 Northcote state by-election|Northcote state by-election]] on 18 November 2017 she became the first known Aboriginal woman elected to the state's parliament and served as the member for the division of [[Electoral district of Northcote|Northcote]] in the [[Victorian Legislative Assembly|Legislative Assembly]] from 2017 to 2018.<ref name="smh240422" />

Thorpe has received media attention for her criticism of the legitimacy of Australian political institutions, which she views as stemming from colonialism.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Senator Lidia Thorpe makes international headlines after 'colonising Queen' oath |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/senator-lidia-thorpe-makes-international-headlines-after-colonising-queen-oath/ea1ffhmym |access-date=15 September 2022 |website=SBS |language=en |archive-date=15 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915155206/https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/senator-lidia-thorpe-makes-international-headlines-after-colonising-queen-oath/ea1ffhmym |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Early life and education ==
Lidia Alma Thorpe<ref name=abn>{{cite web | title=Historical details for ABN 65 868 640 208 | website=ABN Lookup | date=November 2014 | url=https://abr.business.gov.au/AbnHistory/View?id=65868640208 | access-date=2 August 2022 | archive-date=2 August 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220802074728/https://abr.business.gov.au/AbnHistory/View?id=65868640208 | url-status=live }}</ref> was born in 1973 in [[Carlton, Victoria]],<ref name="parlbio">{{cite Au Parliament|mpid=280301|name=Senator Lidia Thorpe|access-date=4 August 2022}}</ref><ref name="birthyear">{{cite news|last1=Wahlquist|first1=Calla|title=Lidia Thorpe 'finds her voice', the first Indigenous woman to do so in Victorian parliament|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/nov/29/lidia-thorpe-finds-her-voice-the-first-indigenous-woman-to-do-so-in-victorian-parliament|access-date=8 February 2018|work=The Guardian|date=29 November 2017|language=en|archive-date=8 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208123852/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/nov/29/lidia-thorpe-finds-her-voice-the-first-indigenous-woman-to-do-so-in-victorian-parliament|url-status=live}}</ref> to Roy Illingworth<ref name="8ffa2e6bb7bdacd273cba5c46f9f7236">{{cite web |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/breaking-news/senator-lidia-thorpe-hits-back-at-anthony-albanese-on-3am-video/news-story/8ffa2e6bb7bdacd273cba5c46f9f7236 |title=Lidia Thorpe's dad says she's racist against whites as she hits back after incident outside strip club |date=21 April 2023 |website=The Australian |access-date=21 April 2023 |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421113013/https://www.theaustralian.com.au/breaking-news/senator-lidia-thorpe-hits-back-at-anthony-albanese-on-3am-video/news-story/8ffa2e6bb7bdacd273cba5c46f9f7236 |url-status=live }}</ref> and Marjorie Thorpe.<ref name="smh240422">{{cite web |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/shouty-uninformed-ineffective-how-senator-lidia-thorpe-annoys-the-establishment-20220323-p5a73j.html |title='Shouty, uninformed, ineffective': How Senator Lidia Thorpe annoys the establishment |publisher=Sydney Morning Herald |date=24 April 2022 |website=smh.com.au |access-date=20 April 2023 |archive-date=2 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220802203258/https://www.smh.com.au/national/shouty-uninformed-ineffective-how-senator-lidia-thorpe-annoys-the-establishment-20220323-p5a73j.html |url-status=live }}</ref> She is of [[English people|English]], [[Irish people|Irish]],<ref name="8ffa2e6bb7bdacd273cba5c46f9f7236"/> [[Djab Wurrung people|DjabWurrung]], [[Gunaikurnai people|Gunnai]] and [[Gunditjmara]] descent.<ref name="Greens">{{Cite web |title=Lidia Thorpe |url=https://greens.org.au/vic/person/lidia-thorpe |access-date=4 May 2022 |publisher=[[Australian Greens Victoria]] |language=en |archive-date=14 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114150419/https://greens.org.au/vic/person/lidia-thorpe |url-status=live }}</ref>

Thorpe grew up in [[Housing Commission of Victoria|Housing Commission]] flats in [[Collingwood, Victoria|Collingwood]] and went to Gold Street Primary School in [[Clifton Hill, Victoria|Clifton Hill]].<ref name="smh240422" /> She studied Year 7 at [[Fitzroy High School]], Year 8 at Collingwood High, returned to Fitzroy High for Year 9, but left soon afterwards, at the age of 14. She plays [[Australian rules football]] and [[netball]].<ref name=latimore2022/>

Her first job was working with her uncle [[Robbie Thorpe]] at the Koori Information Centre at 120 [[Gertrude Street]], Fitzroy, which at that time was "a hub of Black political activity".<ref name="smh240422" /> She says that from that day onwards, she has worked continuously, apart from six-month breaks after the births of each of her children.<ref name=latimore2022/>

She holds a Diploma of Community Development from [[Swinburne University of Technology]], a graduate certificate in [[public sector]] management and a Certificate IV Indigenous Leadership.<ref name=vicparl2021>{{cite re-member |title=Ms Lidia Thorpe |num2=127 | access-date=2 August 2022}}</ref>

She became a [[single mother]] at the age of 17.<ref name=latimore2022/>

==Early career==
Thorpe has worked as the Aboriginal employment adviser for the [[Municipal Association of Victoria]] and was president of the Lakes Entrance Basketball Association for three years.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}} She has also been a member of the school council of the [[Nowa Nowa, Victoria|Nowa Nowa]] Primary School, a steering committee for Indigenous administrators and the [[Institute of Public Administration Australia]] (Victoria).{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}} She worked as a [[project manager]] with the [[East Gippsland Shire Council]],<ref name=fellowship>{{cite news|url=https://indigenousfellowship.net.au/emerging-leaders/lidia-thorpe/|title=Lidia Thorpe: Emerging Leader 2008 - 2009|website=Indigenous Fellowship|access-date=15 August 2018|archive-date=12 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180812151055/http://indigenousfellowship.net.au/emerging-leaders/lidia-thorpe/|url-status=live}}</ref> Indigenous manager at [[Centrelink]] and manager at [[Lake Tyers|Lake Tyers Aboriginal Training Centre]].<ref name=vicparl2021/>

Thorpe was the co-chair of the Victorian [[NAIDOC]] Committee from 2014 to 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vicnaidoc.com.au/the-committee|title=The Committee|access-date=5 April 2022|archive-date=2 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302225026/https://vicnaidoc.com.au/the-committee|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/northcote-by-election-2017|last=Green|first=Antony|authorlink=Antony Green|title=2017 Northcote by-election|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|access-date=18 November 2017|archive-date=18 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171118144352/http://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/northcote-by-election-2017/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/northcote-byelection-greens-pick-their-woman-for-key-battle-of-the-north-20170911-gyez5c.html|title=Northcote by-election: Greens pick their woman for key battle of the north|last1=Towell|first1=Noel|last2=Preiss|first2=Benjamin|newspaper=[[The Age]]|date=11 September 2017|access-date=18 November 2017|archive-date=14 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114233925/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/northcote-byelection-greens-pick-their-woman-for-key-battle-of-the-north-20170911-gyez5c.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=fellowship/>

In 2013, Thorpe was declared [[bankrupt]] with over {{AUD|700,000}} in debts, including monies owed to Indigenous Business Australia and {{AUD|55,000}} owed to the [[Australian Taxation Office]]. She said that her bankruptcy resulted from [[domestic violence]], stating "like many survivors of family violence, I ended up losing everything in a bid to protect myself and my family from an impossible situation".<ref name="bankruptcy">{{cite news |last1=Hore |first1=Monique |title=Greens Northcote candidate reveals abusive relationship led to her bankruptcy |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/greens-northcote-candidate-reveals-abusive-relationship-led-to-her-bankruptcy/news-story/0b53d6f348de3f5aaf783cf11c816d42 |access-date=5 September 2020 |work=Herald Sun |date=26 October 2017 |archive-date=31 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831102149/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/greens-northcote-candidate-reveals-abusive-relationship-led-to-her-bankruptcy/news-story/0b53d6f348de3f5aaf783cf11c816d42 |url-status=live }}</ref> Her ex-husband, who was an alcoholic, confirmed her account of the marriage breakdown.<ref name="smh240422" /> She was discharged from bankruptcy in 2016.<ref name=latimore2022/>

==Political career==
===Victorian Legislative Assembly===
[[File:JMP 6094 (46499665305).jpg|thumb|right|Thorpe at a rally in Melbourne in 2019]]

Thorpe won the seat of [[Electoral district of Northcote|Northcote]] at the [[2017 Northcote state by-election|2017 by-election]] on 18 November 2017 after receiving 45.22% of the primary vote, which became 50.93% after the distribution of preferences.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/Results/State2017/NorthcoteDistrict.html|title=Northcote District By-election 2017 : Northcote District|work=VEC|access-date=9 August 2018|archive-date=9 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809122905/https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/Results/State2017/NorthcoteDistrict.html|url-status=live}}</ref> She was sworn in as a member of parliament on 28 November 2017 and delivered her first speech to the assembly the following day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/first-aboriginal-woman-mp-lidia-thorpe-speaks-of-genocide-lingering-disadvantage-20171129-gzv2ms.html|title=State's first Aboriginal woman MP Lidia Thorpe speaks of genocide, lingering disadvantage|last1=Carey|first1=Adam|work=The Age|date=29 November 2017|access-date=29 November 2017|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201161723/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/first-aboriginal-woman-mp-lidia-thorpe-speaks-of-genocide-lingering-disadvantage-20171129-gzv2ms.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Raue|first=Ben|date=19 November 2017|title=Northcote byelection: Greens' Lidia Thorpe takes Melbourne seat from Labor|work=[[The Guardian]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/nov/19/northcote-byelection-greens-lidia-thorpe-takes-melbourne-seat-from-labor|access-date=19 November 2017|archive-date=19 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171119000210/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/nov/19/northcote-byelection-greens-lidia-thorpe-takes-melbourne-seat-from-labor|url-status=live}}</ref>
Thorpe was the [[Australian Greens Victoria]] portfolio holder for Aboriginal Justice, Consumer Affairs, Skills and Training, Sport and Mental Health.<ref name="Greens"/><ref name=vicparl2021/>

In May 2018, she organised a historic gathering of [[Aboriginal elder|Aboriginal Elder]]s at the [[Parliament of Victoria]] to discuss the state's treaty processes.<ref name="smh240422" /> The meeting was organised as part of Thorpe's campaign to implement clan-based treaties, which would recognise the approximately 100 Aboriginal clans in Victoria. At the time, Thorpe said: "Our sovereignty and each of our language groups and our Clans must be clearly recognised in the government's treaty advancement legislation."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/nitv-news/article/2018/05/14/victorian-elders-call-clan-based-treaties-and-more-inclusion-process|title=Victorian Elders call for Clan-based treaties and more inclusion in process|work=NITV|last1=Hocking|first1=Rachel|date=14 May 2018|access-date=15 August 2018|archive-date=15 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815202151/https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/nitv-news/article/2018/05/14/victorian-elders-call-clan-based-treaties-and-more-inclusion-process|url-status=live}}</ref> The delegation of clan elders unanimously agreed to form an elders council. Thorpe supported the [[Victorian Government]]'s 2018 treaty bill, but stated that she would continue to push for clan sovereignty to be recognised as the treaty process advances.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/victoria-passes-aboriginal-treaty-bill-20180621-p4zmzz.html |title=Victoria passes Aboriginal treaty bill |work=The Age |date=21 June 2018 |last1=Banger |first1=Marie |last2=Offer |first2=Kaitlyn |access-date=15 August 2018 |archive-date=26 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726152434/https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/victoria-passes-aboriginal-treaty-bill-20180621-p4zmzz.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Thorpe lost her seat to Labor candidate [[Kat Theophanous]] at the [[2018 Victorian state election]],<ref name=florance/> with her term finishing on 19 December 2018.<ref name=vicparl2021/> She told ABC Radio Melbourne: "We need to have a good look at ourselves and have a review of what this election has done to our party, losing quite a considerable amount of Greens members." She said Labor ran a "dirty campaign" against her but conceded that negative coverage due to internal party scandals had also contributed to her defeat.<ref name=florance>{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-26/victorian-election-greens-need-to-take-good-look-lidia-thorpe/10553616 |title=Victorian election should prompt Greens to take a 'good look at ourselves', losing Northcote MP says |website=ABC News |publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |last1=Florance |first1=Loretta |date=26 November 2018 |access-date=25 May 2018 |archive-date=26 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126062649/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-26/victorian-election-greens-need-to-take-good-look-lidia-thorpe/10553616 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Parliament of Australia===
[[File:Lidia Thorpe in Parliament 2020.jpg|thumb|Thorpe being sworn into parliament in October 2020]]
In June 2020, Thorpe was [[Preselection|preselected]] by [[Australian Greens Victoria|Victorian Greens]] members to fill the federal [[Australian Senate|Senate]] vacancy caused by former leader [[Richard Di Natale]]'s resignation.<ref name=June2020>{{Cite web|date=20 June 2020|title=Aboriginal activist Lidia Thorpe to replace Richard Di Natale as Greens senator for Victoria|last1=Cox|first1=Lisa|url=http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jun/20/aboriginal-activist-lidia-thorpe-to-replace-richard-di-natale-as-greens-senator-for-victoria|access-date=20 June 2020|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=20 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620062117/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jun/20/aboriginal-activist-lidia-thorpe-to-replace-richard-di-natale-as-greens-senator-for-victoria|url-status=live}}</ref> She was appointed to the vacancy at a joint sitting of the [[Parliament of Victoria|Victorian Parliament]] on 4 September and sworn in on 6 October 2020.<ref name=Appointment4September2020/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/BrettMasonNews/status/1313294977103847425|title=Senator @lidia__thorpe arrives on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country carrying a Message Stick "memorialising the 441 First Nations people who have died in custody without justice" #auspol @SBSNews @NITV|work=SBS News|author=Brett Mason|publisher=Twitter|date=6 October 2020|access-date=6 October 2020|archive-date=6 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006101201/https://twitter.com/BrettMasonNews/status/1313294977103847425|url-status=live}}</ref> She is the first Aboriginal woman to represent Victoria in the Senate and is the first Aboriginal federal parliamentarian from the Greens.<ref name=June2020/><ref name=Appointment4September2020>{{cite web|url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6911014/vic-endorses-thorpe-as-new-greens-senator/|work=The Canberra Times|date=4 September 2020|title=Vic endorses Thorpe as new Greens senator|last1=Osborne|first1=Paul|access-date=4 September 2020|archive-date=4 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404043939/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6911014/vic-endorses-thorpe-as-new-greens-senator/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following the [[2022 Australian federal election|May 2022 federal election]], at which she was re-elected, Thorpe was elected by the Greens party room as the party's deputy leader in the Senate.<ref>{{Cite tweet|last=Bandt|first=Adam|author-link=Adam Bandt|user=adambandt|date=10 June 2022|number=1535136884690927616|title=I thank my colleagues for their strong and continued support. After our best election result ever, I am very excited to be the Leader of an expanded Greens Party Room & leadership team as we fight for action on climate and inequality.}}</ref><ref name="parlbio"/>

==== Resignation from Greens' deputy leadership ====
On 20 October 2022, Thorpe resigned from her position as Greens' deputy leader in the Senate, shortly after [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC News]] revealed that in 2021 she had dated the ex-president of the [[Rebels Motorcycle Club|Rebels outlaw bikie gang]], Dean Martin. At the time of the relationship, she had held the justice portfolio for the Greens and had been serving on the joint parliamentary law enforcement committee, so had been privy to confidential briefings about bikie gangs and [[organised crime]]. Thorpe had not disclosed the relationship, and it was only revealed when her staff notified party leader Adam Bandt's office and an independent parliamentary authority. Her staff became aware of the relationship in mid-2021. In August 2021, when confidential law enforcement committee briefing documents concerning motorcycle gangs arrived in her office hours after Thorpe had met Martin. One of her staffers urged her to inform Bandt but she failed to do so. She told the staffer that "she was being really careful": she used [[encrypted]] social media to communicate with Martin. Conversations were deleted weekly, and they never met at either one's home. The matter was referred to the [[Australian Federal Police]]. Thorpe said that she continues to be friends with Martin.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/bombshell-as-bandt-seeks-greens-senators-mresignation/news-story/adf3151b217081f68291330ff6619e61
|title=Bombshell as Bandt seeks Greens senator's resignation |website=news.com.au |date=20 October 2022 |access-date=20 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-20/lidia-thorpe-undisclosed-relationship-ex-rebel-president/101553386 |title=Greens senator Lidia Thorpe admits to undisclosed relationship with ex-Rebels president Dean Martin while on law enforcement committee |website=ABC News |date=20 October 2022 |access-date=20 October 2022 |archive-date=20 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020014844/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-20/lidia-thorpe-undisclosed-relationship-ex-rebel-president/101553386 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Jake Evans |author2=Andrew Probyn |title=Greens senator Lidia Thorpe resigns as Senate deputy after undisclosed relationship with ex-bikie boss |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-20/bandt-asks-thorpe-to-resign-as-senate-deputy/101557298 |website=ABC News |access-date=20 October 2023 |date=20 Oct 2022 |archive-date=20 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020031759/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-20/bandt-asks-thorpe-to-resign-as-senate-deputy/101557298 |url-status=live }}</ref> Martin had been president of the Rebels in Victoria, and had been charged and pleaded guilty to liquor offences in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Butcher |first=Steve |date=29 August 2013 |title=Rebels president Dean Martin pleads guilty to liquor offences |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/rebels-president-dean-martin-pleads-guilty-to-liquor-offences-20130829-2ss9c.html |access-date=22 October 2022 |website=The Age |language=en |archive-date=22 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022061936/https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/rebels-president-dean-martin-pleads-guilty-to-liquor-offences-20130829-2ss9c.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Following the revelations, Thorpe faced a censure motion in the Senate. [[Australian Labor Party|ALP]] senator [[Helen Polley]], the head of the joint parliamentary law enforcement committee, of which Thorpe had been a member, said, with regard to Thorpe's position as a senator: "She should consider if it's the right place for her".<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/lidia-thorpe-to-face-censure-motion-amid-calls-to-resign-from-senate-over-bikie-relationship/8kanukb8y |title= Lidia Thorpe to face censure motion amid calls to resign from Senate over bikie relationship |website= SBS News |date= 21 October 2022 |access-date= 22 October 2022 |archive-date= 21 October 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221021223428/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/lidia-thorpe-to-face-censure-motion-amid-calls-to-resign-from-senate-over-bikie-relationship/8kanukb8y |url-status= live }}</ref>

It was also reported on 20 October that following a complaint by one of her staff, the Department of Finance was reviewing the culture of Thorpe's office.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-20/bandt-asks-thorpe-to-resign-as-senate-deputy/101557298 |title=Greens senator Lidia Thorpe resigns as Senate deputy after undisclosed relationship with ex-bikie boss |website=ABC News |date=20 October 2022 |access-date=20 October 2022 |archive-date=20 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020031759/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-20/bandt-asks-thorpe-to-resign-as-senate-deputy/101557298 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 24 October, Thorpe referred herself to the Senate privileges committee.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lowrey |first=Tom |date=24 October 2022 |title=Lidia Thorpe refers herself to privileges committee over undisclosed relationship with former bikie boss |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-24/lidia-thorpe-refers-herself-privileges-committee-ex-bikie-boss/101570058 |access-date=24 October 2022 |archive-date=24 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024042406/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-24/lidia-thorpe-refers-herself-privileges-committee-ex-bikie-boss/101570058 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In March 2023, a parliamentary investigation cleared Thorpe of contempt of parliament.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-07/senate-probe-clears-lidia-thorpe-of-contempt-of-parliament/102066122 | title=Senate probe clears Lidia Thorpe of contempt over undisclosed relationship | newspaper=ABC News | date=7 March 2023 | access-date=7 March 2023 | archive-date=7 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307224235/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-07/senate-probe-clears-lidia-thorpe-of-contempt-of-parliament/102066122 | url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Resignation from the Greens ====
On 6 February 2023, Thorpe announced that she would resign from the Greens to become an independent senator, sitting on the crossbench, over disagreements concerning the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament.<ref name=":1"/><ref>{{Cite web |date=5 February 2023 |title=Indigenous Voice to parliament updates LIVE: Lidia Thorpe quits Greens over Voice division |url=https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/australia-should-prepare-for-chinese-spy-balloons-20230206-p5ci3n |access-date=6 February 2023 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en |archive-date=6 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206020117/https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/australia-should-prepare-for-chinese-spy-balloons-20230206-p5ci3n |url-status=live }}</ref> In a statement, Thorpe stated that "This country has a strong grassroots [[Australian Indigenous Sovereignty|Blak Sovereign]] Movement, full of staunch and committed warriors and I want to represent that movement fully in this Parliament. It has become clear to me that I can't do that from within the Greens."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/lidia-thorpe-quits-greens-over-voice-to-parliament/6f80zr453|title=Lidia Thorpe quits Greens over Voice to Parliament|work=SBS News|date=6 February 2023|access-date=6 February 2023|archive-date=6 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206021503/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/lidia-thorpe-quits-greens-over-voice-to-parliament/6f80zr453|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/SenatorThorpe/posts/pfbid02aLLADf1wUsAV2kgCmkkYezv9Y1AQYE6cFw2kZ1pfQY43h2S7mBGSFtiaUzYwtbiPl|title=Senator Lidia Thorpe announces move to Senate crossbench to lead Blak Sovereign Movement|website=[[Facebook]]|access-date=16 August 2023|archive-date=16 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816073843/https://www.facebook.com/SenatorThorpe/posts/pfbid02aLLADf1wUsAV2kgCmkkYezv9Y1AQYE6cFw2kZ1pfQY43h2S7mBGSFtiaUzYwtbiPl|url-status=live}}</ref>

'''Independent senator'''

During a parliamentary hearing, while questioning the allocation of community safety funding to Northern Territory police forces, Thorpe walked out of a Senate Estimates hearing after being called a "disgrace to her people" by Labor's assistant minister for Indigenous Australians [[Malarndirri McCarthy]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sakkal |first1=Paul |date=24 May 2023 |title=Thorpe storms out of Senate hearing after Labor MP calls her a 'disgrace to her people' |work=The Age |url=https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/thorpe-storms-out-of-senate-hearing-after-labor-mp-calls-her-a-disgrace-to-her-people-20230524-p5db1c.html |access-date=24 May 2023 |archive-date=24 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524114758/https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/thorpe-storms-out-of-senate-hearing-after-labor-mp-calls-her-a-disgrace-to-her-people-20230524-p5db1c.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 14 June 2023, Thorpe gained media attention after she and [[Amanda Stoker]] accused Senator [[David Van]] of sexually assaulting her during parliament. Van has denied the allegations. He was expelled from the Liberal Party.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 June 2023 |title=Lidia Thorpe withdraws claim against senator |url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/lidia-thorpe-accuses-liberal-senator-david-van-sexual-assault-harassment/918e8516-d114-44e5-9e24-8674f5427768 |access-date=16 June 2023 |website=www.9news.com.au |archive-date=15 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615231009/https://www.9news.com.au/national/lidia-thorpe-accuses-liberal-senator-david-van-sexual-assault-harassment/918e8516-d114-44e5-9e24-8674f5427768 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=15 June 2023 |title=Lidia Thorpe tells Senate she was 'inappropriately touched' in parliament |url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/liberal-senator-david-van-denies-lidia-thorpe-allegations/8872ca7d-549d-41dd-99ad-9e02f90c21cf |access-date=16 June 2023 |website=www.9news.com.au |archive-date=16 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616014055/https://www.9news.com.au/national/liberal-senator-david-van-denies-lidia-thorpe-allegations/8872ca7d-549d-41dd-99ad-9e02f90c21cf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=readJune 15 |first1=Heloise VyasDigital Reporter2 min |last2=2023 - 5:30pm |date=15 June 2023 |title='F*** off': Thorpe fires at Hanson after explosive sexual abuse claims |url=https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/f-off-lidia-thorpe-fires-at-pauline-hanson-in-senate-after-explosive-revelation-of-alleged-sexual-abuse-in-parliament-house/news-story/6129936b915b7a1a56cf2947c1f13aa7 |access-date=16 June 2023 |website=skynews |language=en |archive-date=16 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616021003/https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/f-off-lidia-thorpe-fires-at-pauline-hanson-in-senate-after-explosive-revelation-of-alleged-sexual-abuse-in-parliament-house/news-story/6129936b915b7a1a56cf2947c1f13aa7 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Ongoing roles and interests==
Thorpe is or has been the delegate for the Lakes Entrance Aboriginal Education Consultative Group, the Victorian representative to the National Advisory Committee for [[The Smith Family (charity)|The Smith Family]] and co-chair of the Victorian [[NAIDOC]] Committee.<ref name=fellowship/>

== Activism ==
Thorpe has supported the ''Pay the Rent'' campaign, which calls on non-Aboriginal Australians to voluntarily pay [[Reparation (legal)|reparations]] through an organisation of the same name.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/pay-the-rent-invasion-day-protesters-urged-to-hand-over-cash-at-march-20200121-p53tdr.html |title='Pay the rent': Invasion Day protesters urged to hand over cash at march |last=Cowie |first=Tom |publisher=The Age |date=21 January 2020 |accessdate=17 January 2023 |archive-date=17 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117140726/https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/pay-the-rent-invasion-day-protesters-urged-to-hand-over-cash-at-march-20200121-p53tdr.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Thorpe has been critical of the ''[[Uluru Statement from the Heart]]'', believing there should be a [[Indigenous treaties in Australia|treaty]] before an [[Indigenous voice to government]]. Thorpe led a walk-out of the Uluru convention, believing that it was "hijacked by Aboriginal corporations and establishment appointments and did not reflect the aspirations of ordinary Indigenous people".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Grand |first1=Chip Le |title=Without treaty, incoming senator can't feel part of 'Team Australia' |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/without-treaty-incoming-senator-can-t-feel-part-of-team-australia-20200625-p55649.html |access-date=5 September 2020 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=25 June 2020 |language=en |archive-date=10 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910211804/https://www.smh.com.au/national/without-treaty-incoming-senator-can-t-feel-part-of-team-australia-20200625-p55649.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On [[Australia Day]] 2019, an inaugural dawn service organised by Thorpe was held at the [[Kings Domain Resting Place]] as a [[Day of Mourning (Australia)|day of mourning]] and reflection on the [[colonisation of Australia]] with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in attendance for the ceremony.<ref name="Wahlquistov">{{cite news|last=Wahlquist|first=Calla|title='Overwhelmed': Hundreds attend first dawn service to be held on Australia Day|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jan/26/overwhelmed-hundreds-attend-first-dawn-service-to-be-held-on-australia-day|work=The Guardian|date=26 January 2019|access-date=16 February 2021|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107232218/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jan/26/overwhelmed-hundreds-attend-first-dawn-service-to-be-held-on-australia-day |archive-date=7 November 2020}}</ref>

Thorpe was removed from the [[Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras]] parade on 25 February 2023 when she had laid down in front of a float in protest against the presence of police.<ref name="HildebrandtABC">{{cite news |last1=Hildebrandt |first1=Carla |title=Federal senator Lidia Thorpe halts Sydney's Mardi Gras parade with police protest |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-26/federal-senator-lidia-thorpe-removed-from-parade/102024664 |access-date=26 February 2023 |work=ABC News |archive-date=26 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226005157/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-26/federal-senator-lidia-thorpe-removed-from-parade/102024664 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In March 2023, footage emerged of Thorpe being tackled to the ground by a police officer while attending a demonstration outside of [[Parliament House, Canberra|Parliament House]]. Thorpe was part of a group countering an anti-transgender rights rally which included activist [[Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull]] at Parliament House. Australian Attorney-General [[Mark Dreyfus]] is believed to be investigating the matter, having sought advice from the commissioner of the Australian Federal Police regarding the matter.<ref name="ThompsonTheAge">{{cite news |last1=Thompson |first1=Angus |title=Senator Lidia Thorpe clashes with police at anti-trans rally |url=https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/senator-lidia-thorpe-clashes-with-police-at-anti-trans-rally-20230323-p5cunr.html |access-date=23 March 2023 |work=The Age |archive-date=23 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323030920/https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/senator-lidia-thorpe-clashes-with-police-at-anti-trans-rally-20230323-p5cunr.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Thorpe alleged the treatment by police constituted [[assault]] and the [[Minister for Indigenous Australians]], [[Linda Burney]], said the incident was “disturbing and concerning”.<ref>{{cite news |author=Paul Karp |agency= |title=Lidia Thorpe's treatment at anti-trans rally 'disturbing and concerning', Linda Burney says |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/mar/24/lidia-thorpe-treatment-at-anti-trans-rally-disturbing-and-concerning-linda-burney-says |quote= |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=24 March 2023 |access-date=4 April 2023 |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404034858/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/mar/24/lidia-thorpe-treatment-at-anti-trans-rally-disturbing-and-concerning-linda-burney-says |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Award==
Thorpe was awarded the Fellowship for Indigenous Leadership in 2008.<ref name=fellowship/>

== Personal life and family ==
Thorpe's grandmother, [[Alma Thorpe]], was one of the founders of the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service<ref name=2011_Vic_AHR>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vic.gov.au/aboriginalvictoria/community-engagement/leadership-programs/aboriginal-honour-roll/2011-victorian-aboriginal-honour-roll/alma-thorpe.html|title=2011 Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll - Alma Thorpe|date=2012|publisher=State Government of Victoria|access-date=6 December 2017|archive-date=6 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206204014/https://www.vic.gov.au/aboriginalvictoria/community-engagement/leadership-programs/aboriginal-honour-roll/2011-victorian-aboriginal-honour-roll/alma-thorpe.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/new-greens-mp-lidia-thorpes-long-road-from-nowa-nowa-to-northcote-20171119-gzodm6.html|title=New Greens MP Lidia Thorpe's long road from Nowa Nowa to Northcote|newspaper=The Age|date=19 November 2017|last1=Carey|first1=Adam|access-date=19 November 2017|archive-date=22 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122114820/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/new-greens-mp-lidia-thorpes-long-road-from-nowa-nowa-to-northcote-20171119-gzodm6.html|url-status=live}}</ref> in 1973, the year of Lidia's birth, and was also involved in the setting up of the [[Aboriginal Tent Embassy]].<ref name="smh240422" /> Her mother, Marjorie Thorpe, was a co-commissioner for the [[Stolen Generations]] inquiry<ref name="smh240422" /> that produced the ''[[Bringing Them Home]]'' report in the 1990s and later a member of the [[Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation]], and a preselected Greens federal candidate for [[Division of Gippsland|Gippsland]].<ref name=latimore2022>{{cite web | last=Latimore | first=Jack | title='Shouty, uninformed, ineffective': How Senator Lidia Thorpe annoys the establishment | website=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] | date=23 April 2022 | url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/shouty-uninformed-ineffective-how-senator-lidia-thorpe-annoys-the-establishment-20220323-p5a73j.html | access-date=2 August 2022 | archive-date=2 August 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220802203258/https://www.smh.com.au/national/shouty-uninformed-ineffective-how-senator-lidia-thorpe-annoys-the-establishment-20220323-p5a73j.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Both Alma and her mother, Edna Brown, were [[Koori]] activists in [[Footscray, Victoria|Footscray]] and [[Collingwood, Victoria|Collingwood]].{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}} Edna had been forcibly moved out of [[Framlingham Aboriginal Reserve]] in 1932, aged 15, before becoming a community activist.<ref name=latimore2022/> Edna was married to James Brown, of Scottish/Australian descent.

Thorpe's sister is Meriki Onus, who co-founded the Warriors of Aboriginal Resistance (WAR) collective that was a driving force behind the [[Australian Aboriginal Sovereignty]] movement.<ref name=latimore2022/>

Her uncle is activist [[Robbie Thorpe]], who is linked to some of the earliest struggles for [[Aboriginal Australian self-determination]], and also involved with the Pay The Rent campaign.<ref name=latimore2022/>

Thorpe has three children<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lidiathorpe.com/about/|title=Lidia Thorpe website|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621191237/http://lidiathorpe.com/about/|archive-date=21 June 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Greens"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/chamber/hansards/b97b0bb9-8120-4b6a-b093-173728d144de/toc_pdf/Senate_2020_12_02_8384.pdf;fileType=application%2Fpdf|title=Senate Hansard - Wednesday, 2 December 2020|date=2 December 2020|publisher=Parliament of Australia|access-date=3 December 2020|archive-date=3 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703013411/https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/chamber/hansards/b97b0bb9-8120-4b6a-b093-173728d144de/toc_pdf/Senate_2020_12_02_8384.pdf;fileType=application%2Fpdf|url-status=live}}</ref> and {{as of|April 2022|lc=yes}} has four grandchildren.<ref name=latimore2022/>

Thorpe was reportedly in a relationship with Gavan McFadzean, manager of the Climate Change and Clean Energy Program at the [[Australian Conservation Foundation]], from 2019 to 2022.<ref name =9newsfb>{{cite web | title=Jilted partner of firebrand senator Lidia Thorpe found out she had an affair with a bikie from news | website=9 Breaking News | date=20 October 2022 | url=https://9breakingnews.com/jilted-partner-of-firebrand-senator-lidia-thorpe-found-out-she-had-an-affair-with-a-bikie-from-news/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020230440/https://9breakingnews.com/jilted-partner-of-firebrand-senator-lidia-thorpe-found-out-she-had-an-affair-with-a-bikie-from-news/ | archive-date=20 October 2022 | url-status=live | access-date=23 October 2022}}</ref>

== Controversies ==
In a speech to Parliament in May 2021, Thorpe commented negatively on new bail laws being introduced into the Northern Territory and made an assumption that the [[Attorney-General of the Northern Territory]] was a white male. The attorney-general, [[Selena Uibo]], was an Aboriginal woman.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Heaney |first1=Chelsea |date=13 May 2021 |title=NT Attorney-General slams speech from Greens Senator that assumed she was a man who 'hopefully' was white |language=en-AU |work=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-13/nt-selena-uibo-lydia-thorpe-youth-justice-bail-law/100136066 |url-status=live |access-date=14 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513153107/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-13/nt-selena-uibo-lydia-thorpe-youth-justice-bail-law/100136066 |archive-date=13 May 2021}}</ref> Uibo stated that Thorpe was not qualified to speak on the Northern Territory's issues.<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 May 2021 |title=NT Attorney-General slams speech from Greens Senator that assumed she was a man who 'hopefully' was white |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-13/nt-selena-uibo-lydia-thorpe-youth-justice-bail-law/100136066 |url-status=live |access-date=20 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514192104/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-13/nt-selena-uibo-lydia-thorpe-youth-justice-bail-law/100136066 |archive-date=14 May 2021}}</ref>

In December 2021, Thorpe interjected to Liberal senator [[Hollie Hughes (politician)|Hollie Hughes]] "at least I keep my legs shut", during a Senate discussion about people living with disabilities. When challenged on the remark, Thorpe told the Chamber: "I just got a view of something over there that disturbed me. But I'm happy to retract.” Hughes believed the statement was in reference to her autistic son, and was reportedly left in tears.<ref>{{cite web |date=2 December 2021 |title=Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe accused of 'legs shut' gibe at Liberal colleague |url=https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/greens-senator-lidia-thorpe-accused-of-legs-shut-gibe-at-liberal-colleague/news-story/0c9d7e078ab0cd95a2b266b06953a4f0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202120712/https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/greens-senator-lidia-thorpe-accused-of-legs-shut-gibe-at-liberal-colleague/news-story/0c9d7e078ab0cd95a2b266b06953a4f0 |archive-date=2 December 2021 |access-date=3 December 2021 |website=news.com.au}}</ref> Later in the evening, Thorpe admitted to "inappropriate remarks" and apologised, but denied any reference to Hughes's son.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/dec/02/greens-senator-lidia-thorpe-apologises-for-disgusting-comment-directed-at-liberal-hollie-hughes Greens senator Lidia Thorpe apologises for ‘disgusting’ comment directed at Liberal Hollie Hughes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227095129/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/dec/02/greens-senator-lidia-thorpe-apologises-for-disgusting-comment-directed-at-liberal-hollie-hughes|date=27 February 2023}}; theguardian, 2 December 2021</ref>

In December 2021, following a fire that damaged the [[Old Parliament House, Canberra|Old Parliament House]] in Canberra, Thorpe was criticised for tweeting "Seems like the colonial system is burning down. Happy New Year everyone #AlwayswasAlwayswillBeAboriginalLand". The tweet was criticised by members of both the [[Coalition (Australia)|Coalition]] and [[Australian Labor Party]]. Thorpe deleted the tweet an hour later.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Alex |date=31 December 2021 |title=Probe into Old Parliament fire underway |work=[[Canberra Times]] |location=[[Canberra, Australian Capital Territory]] |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7567106/probe-into-old-parliament-fire-underway/ |url-status=live |access-date=9 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908235736/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7567106/probe-into-old-parliament-fire-underway/ |archive-date=8 September 2022}}</ref>

In a June 2022 interview, Thorpe said she was there to 'infiltrate' the Australian parliament and that the [[Australian flag]] had "no permission to be here". Senator [[Jacinta Nampijinpa Price]] denounced Thorpe's comments and called for her dismissal from parliament.<ref name="Graham">{{Cite news |last=Graham |first=Ben |date=23 June 2022 |title=Greens senator Lidia Thorpe said she is 'here to infiltrate' Australia's parliament |website=news.com.au |url=https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/greens-senator-lidia-thorpe-said-she-is-here-to-infiltrate-australias-parliament/news-story/6d16a6a660f7f55612e20455d28d9fc8 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623064536/https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/greens-senator-lidia-thorpe-said-she-is-here-to-infiltrate-australias-parliament/news-story/6d16a6a660f7f55612e20455d28d9fc8 |archive-date=23 June 2022}}</ref>

Thorpe gained media attention during her swearing-in ceremony. She added the words "the colonising" in the required [[Oath of Allegiance (Australia)|Oath of Allegiance]] to [[Queen Elizabeth II]] by saying "I swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to ''the colonising'' Her Majesty Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Australia, Her heirs and successors according to law." Thorpe was immediately criticised by fellow senators. After an instruction by Labor Senate president [[Sue Lines]] and interjections from others that the oath must be taken word-by-word, Thorpe recited the pledge once more, this time omitting the two words.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 2022 |title=Australian senator Lidia Thorpe calls the Queen a 'coloniser' in mandatory oath of allegiance for parliament |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/world/australia-senator-lidia-thorpe-queen-coloniser-oath-alleigence-1772330 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801200039/https://inews.co.uk/news/world/australia-senator-lidia-thorpe-queen-coloniser-oath-alleigence-1772330 |archive-date=1 August 2022 |access-date=1 August 2022 |website=inews.co.uk |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Butler">{{Cite news |last=Butler |first=Josh |date=1 August 2022 |title=Australian senator calls the Queen a coloniser while being sworn in to parliament |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/aug/01/australian-greens-senator-lidia-thorpe-calls-queen-coloniser-while-being-sworn-into-parliament |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801202621/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/aug/01/australian-greens-senator-lidia-thorpe-calls-queen-coloniser-while-being-sworn-into-parliament |archive-date=1 August 2022}}</ref>

On 16 April 2023, footage emerged of Thorpe in a verbal altercation with men outside a Melbourne strip club.<ref>{{cite web |date=16 April 2023 |title=Senator Lidia Thorpe in heated exchange outside strip club |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/senator-lidia-thorpe-in-heated-exchange-outside-strip-club-20230416-p5d0w9.html |access-date=20 April 2023 |website=smh.com |publisher=Sydney Morning Herald |archive-date=20 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420085128/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/senator-lidia-thorpe-in-heated-exchange-outside-strip-club-20230416-p5d0w9.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Thorpe claimed the men provoked the altercation,<ref>{{Cite web |last=McMillan |first=Ashleigh |date=16 April 2023 |title=Senator Lidia Thorpe in heated exchange outside strip club |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/senator-lidia-thorpe-in-heated-exchange-outside-strip-club-20230416-p5d0w9.html |access-date=22 April 2023 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en |archive-date=20 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420085128/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/senator-lidia-thorpe-in-heated-exchange-outside-strip-club-20230416-p5d0w9.html |url-status=live }}</ref> while the manager of the club claimed she provoked the incident by approaching white patrons and telling them they had stolen her land.<ref>{{cite web |date=18 April 2023 |title=Senator Lidia Thorpe's strip club stoush |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky2AxUDRXJ4 |access-date=20 April 2023 |website=youtube.com |publisher=7NEWS |archive-date=20 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420085130/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky2AxUDRXJ4&gl=US&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=20 April 2023 |title=Lidia Thorpe says prime minister trying to undermine her following strip club altercation |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-20/thorpe-says-pm-undermining-her-over-strip-club-altercation/102248466 |access-date=21 April 2023 |archive-date=20 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420222408/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-20/thorpe-says-pm-undermining-her-over-strip-club-altercation/102248466 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://indigenousx.com.au/daniel-james-lidia-thorpe-member-for-northcote/ IndigenousX]

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{{s-bef|before=[[Fiona Richardson]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member for [[Electoral district of Northcote|Northcote]]|years=2017–2018}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Kat Theophanous]]}}
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{{Australian Senators}}
{{Current Senate crossbench}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Thorpe, Lidia}}
[[Category:1973 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Members of the Victorian Legislative Assembly]]
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[[Category:Women members of the Australian Senate]]
[[Category:Members of the Australian Senate]]
[[Category:Members of the Australian Senate for Victoria]]
[[Category:Indigenous Australian politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian women politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian politicians]]
[[Category:Australian indigenous rights activists]]
[[Category:Australian people of English descent]]
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[[Category:Australian socialists]]
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[[Category:People from Collingwood, Victoria]]
[[Category:Politicians from Melbourne]]
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