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Senate Motion Censuring Lidia Thorpe Sparks Controversy
Lidia Thorpe, an independent senator, has responded defiantly to a recent Senate motion that censured her for her protest against King Charles. During a press event, she tore up the motion and proclaimed, “I’ll do it again,” indicating that she is unperturbed by the parliamentary reprimand.
This censure came after she interrupted a reception for King Charles in Canberra, where she vocally accused the monarch of committing genocide against Indigenous peoples, stating, “you are not our king.” Thorpe’s actions, along with those of United Australia Party senator Ralph Babet—who faced censure for posting an offensive tweet—were condemned by both the Labor government and the Coalition.
At the time of the motion, Thorpe claimed that she was delayed while flying from Melbourne, stating that she received notice about her impending censure only as she was about to board her flight. She criticized the process for lacking fair warning, asserting, “I was denied my right to be in that chamber whilst everybody else voted to shut me down.” The Senate ultimately passed the censure motion against her with a vote of 46-12.
Both Thorpe and Babet have faced scrutiny for their actions, which were described by Penny Wong, the Senate leader and foreign affairs minister, as attempts to attract attention through “actions and stunts designed to create storms on social media.” Wong emphasized the need for decorum in the Senate, detailing that the motions aimed to uphold “standards of respect” expected of its members.
Details of the Censure Motions
The motion regarding Thorpe specifically criticized her conduct as “disrespectful and disruptive,” while the motion against Babet condemned his use of inflammatory language that was perceived as hate speech aimed at dividing the public for political gain. Notably, Thorpe’s censure also proposed that she should not represent the Senate in any delegations for the remainder of this parliamentary term.
Debate surrounding the censure motions drew varying responses from political leaders. Simon Birmingham, the Coalition Senate leader, declared support for the motions, while Nationals senator Matt Canavan opposed them, labeling the situation a “kangaroo court.” Canavan highlighted the lack of opportunity for either senator to present their case during the proceedings.
Aftermath and Continued Defiance
Thorpe arrived at the Senate after her censure motion had already been passed and voiced her frustration during the ongoing debate over Babet’s censure. “Why wasn’t I allowed to be here?” she questioned out loud, underscoring her feelings of disenfranchisement throughout the incident. In her press conference, she maintained that she should have been given the opportunity to address senators regarding the motion before it was voted upon.
Wong addressed Canavan’s remarks about the timing of the motions, noting that other senators were present and prepared for the parliamentary session. She reassured that both Thorpe and Babet would have a later opportunity to defend themselves, despite the immediate vote.
In a show of defiance, Thorpe destroyed a paper copy of the censure motion, stating she would repurpose it for kindling. On the other hand, Babet expressed discontent with the censure directed at him, arguing that it stemmed from a misunderstanding and asserting that such selective outrage from the political left is more offensive than his original tweet.
Both senators continue to navigate the controversy surrounding their respective actions, and it remains to be seen how this incident will play out in the context of their political careers and the broader discourse within the Australian Senate.
Source
www.theguardian.com