Lidia Thorpe: The Aboriginal Senator Who Views Parliament as a Colonial Project to Infiltrate

History · Published 6 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Lidia Thorpe is a polarizing figure in Australian politics, serving as the first Aboriginal senator from Victoria. Known for her fierce advocacy of Indigenous sovereignty, she has challenged the legitimacy of the nation's political institutions, famously describing her presence in parliament as a deliberate effort to infiltrate the colonial system.

Born in 1973, Lidia Thorpe rose from a background in community activism to become a significant, if controversial, political force. After serving in the Victorian Parliament from 2017 to 2018, she entered the federal Senate in 2020. Her career has been marked by a consistent rejection of traditional political decorum and a focus on the Indigenous sovereignty movement. She has frequently clashed with colleagues, ranging from parliamentary outbursts and heckling King Charles III in 2024 to high-profile disputes over her personal relationships and conduct.

Thorpe’s political trajectory shifted significantly in February 2023 when she resigned from the Australian Greens. Her departure was driven by disagreements over the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum, which she dismissed as "cheap window dressing." Instead, she championed a "Progressive No" campaign, arguing that the proposal distracted from the necessity of truth-telling and the recognition of clan-based sovereignty. This stance highlighted deep divisions within the Indigenous community regarding the best path toward political recognition.

Her tenure has been defined by a confrontational style that tests the boundaries of parliamentary privilege. Whether accusing fellow senators of misconduct, questioning government spending, or protesting the monarchy, Thorpe maintains that she is representing a grassroots movement that seeks to dismantle colonial structures. While critics, including political leaders and some Indigenous elders, have condemned her methods as disrespectful or divisive, supporters view her as a staunch warrior for sovereignty. Her career remains a study in the tension between working within established democratic institutions and actively seeking to undermine them from the inside.

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