Independent senator Lidia Thorpe has courted controversy once again, earning herself a suspension from parliament after throwing pieces of paper at Pauline Hanson during a heated exchange over racism in the upper house.
Labor Senate leader Penny Wong moved the motion to suspend Senator Thorpe for the remainder of the sitting week, with the motion passing 46 votes to 11.
The incident occurred after Hanson sought to refer former Labor Senator Fatima Payman to a parliamentary committee, questioning her eligibility to sit in the upper house due to her dual Afghan citizenship.
Under Section 44 of the constitution, dual citizens are not allowed to sit in parliament. Senator Payman has previously taken steps to renounce her Afghan citizenship but is unable to do so because of the Taliban’s takeover.
Senator Thorpe rushed to defend Senator Payman, yelling at Senator Hanson as she threw torn-up documents at her.
Senator Hanson said everyone had the right to feel safe at work, stating that she hopes the suspension “does send a clear message to Senator Thorpe”.
“She’s been given the opportunity to hold a very special place in this parliament, and to act on behalf of all Australians who want clear, decisive representation with equality, not about race,” Hanson said.
Senator Wong said debate in the parliament had turned to “aggression, hateful and personal attacks”, referring to “dozens of instances” in which Senator Thorpe had made “inappropriate, sometimes abusive comments towards other senators”.
“Despite attempts to work with Senator Thorpe, she’s increasingly engaged in such behaviour in this Senate,” she said.
Senator Thorpe gave the middle finger over her shoulder as she exited the chamber.
Thorpe suspension comes after she was recently censured by the Senate after her fiery confrontation with King Charles during his recent Australian tour.
Thorpe made headlines around the globe when she confronted King Charles at Parliament House, declaring “you are not our king” in a passionate protest.
The incident unfolded following the King’s speech, in which he paid tribute to the progress Australia had made since his first visit to the country in 1966. As the King finished speaking, Senator Thorpe began shouting at the Monarch as she approached the front of the room.
“You are not our king. You are not sovereign. You are not our king. You are not sovereign,” she said.
“You committed genocide against our people. Give us our land back. Give us what you stole from us – our bones, our skulls, our babies, our people.
“You destroyed our land. Give us a treaty. We want treaty.”
Security swiftly intervened and escorted Senator Thorpe from the building as King Charles spoke with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
In response to the incident, on Monday, November 18, the Senate passed a motion to censure Thorpe by a vote of 46 to 12. Senator Wong condemned the protest, saying it sought to “incite outrage and grievance”.
“This is part of a trend that we do see internationally which, quite frankly, we do not need here in Australia,” Senator Wong told parliament.
Senator Thorpe arrived in the chamber following the vote, citing a plane delay for her absence.
“Shame on you all,” she said.
“If (the king) comes back in, I’ll do it again.”
-with AAP.