Lidia Thorpe

Lidia Alma Thorpe{{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 }} was born on 18 August 1973{{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 |work=SBS News |date=10 July 2023 |access-date=22 October 2024 |archive-date=27 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627054238/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/lidia-thorpe-set-to-quit-politics-when-her-term-expires/b7k070prj |url-status=live }}{{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 |date=22 October 2024 |access-date=22 October 2024 }} in Carlton, Victoria,{{cite Au Parliament|mpid=280301|name=Senator Lidia Thorpe|access-date=4 August 2022}}{{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}} to Roy Illingworth{{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 }} and Marjorie Thorpe.{{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= |url-access=subscription|date=24 April 2022 |website=Sydney Morning Herald|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 }} She is of English, Irish, Djab Wurrung, Gunnai and Gunditjmara descent.{{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 }}

Thorpe grew up in Housing Commission flats in Collingwood and went to Gold Street Primary School in Clifton Hill. 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 has stated that, at school, she was harassed "as a black kid," and she would retaliate by punching "boys and the girls out," instead of which, now, she says, "I’ve learnt to use my mouth."

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". She says that from that day onward, she has worked continuously, apart from six-month breaks after the birth of each of her children.

She won the 2021 Social Impact Award from Swinburne University of Technology,{{cite web |url=https://www.swinburne.edu.au/alumni/impact-awards/2021/|title= 2021 Social Impact Award winner : Lidia Thorpe |date=13 October 2021 |website=Swinburne University of Technology |access-date=23 October 2024}} from which she graduated in 2007 with a Diploma of Community Development.{{cite web |url=https://commons.swinburne.edu.au/file/9d977a33-2217-41d8-9912-c612e4538fc9/1/lidia_thorpe-transcript.pdf|title= Lidia Thorpe |date=13 October 2021 |website=Swinburne University of Technology |access-date=23 October 2024}}In a 2018 interview, Thorpe said, "I was born into politics, know nothing else." See IndigenousX (2018).

Thorpe has worked as a project manager with the East Gippsland Shire Council,{{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}} Indigenous manager at Centrelink and manager at Lake Tyers Aboriginal Training Centre.{{cite re-member |title=Ms Lidia Thorpe |num2=127 | access-date=2 August 2022}}

Thorpe was the co-chair of the Victorian NAIDOC Committee from 2014 to 2017.{{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}}{{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}}{{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}}

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".{{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 }} Her ex-husband, who was an alcoholic, confirmed her account of the marriage breakdown. She was discharged from bankruptcy in 2016.

File:JMP 6094 (46499665305).jpg

Thorpe won the seat of Northcote at the 2017 by-election on 18 November 2017 after receiving 45.22% of the primary vote, which became 50.93% after the distribution of preferences.{{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}} She was sworn in as a member of parliament on 28 November 2017 and delivered her first speech to the assembly the following day.{{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}}{{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}}

Thorpe was the Australian Greens Victoria portfolio holder for Aboriginal Justice, Consumer Affairs, Skills and Training, Sport and Mental Health.

In May 2018, she organised a historic gathering of Aboriginal Elders at the Parliament of Victoria to discuss the state's treaty processes. 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."{{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}} 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.{{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 }}

Thorpe lost her seat to Labor candidate Kat Theophanous at the 2018 Victorian state election, with her term finishing on 19 December 2018. 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.{{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 }}

File:Lidia Thorpe in Parliament 2020.jpg

In June 2020, Thorpe was preselected by Victorian Greens members to fill the federal Senate vacancy created by former leader Richard Di Natale's resignation.{{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}} She was appointed to the vacancy at a joint sitting of the Victorian Parliament on 4 September and sworn in on 6 October 2020.{{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}} She is the first Aboriginal woman to represent Victoria in the Senate and the first Aboriginal federal parliamentarian from the Greens.{{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}}{{cite news|last=James|first=Daniel|date=22 July 2018|title=Lidia Thorpe, Member for Northcote|url=https://indigenousx.com.au/daniel-james-lidia-thorpe-member-for-northcote/|work=IndigenousX|access-date=30 October 2024|archive-date=6 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106022351/https://indigenousx.com.au/daniel-james-lidia-thorpe-member-for-northcote/|url-status=live}}

Following the May 2022 federal election, at which she was re-elected, Thorpe was elected by the Greens party as its deputy leader in the Senate.

In a speech to Parliament in May 2021, Thorpe commented negatively on bail legislation being introduced into the Northern Territory and expressed the assumption that the Attorney-General of the Northern Territory is a white male. The Attorney-General, Selena Uibo, an Aboriginal woman,{{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}} commented that Thorpe is not qualified to speak on Northern Territory issues.

In December 2021, Thorpe interjected to speaking Liberal senator Hollie Hughes the remark, "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 viewed the statement as a reference to her autistic son, and was reportedly left in tears.{{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=29 October 2024 |website=News.com.au}} Later in the evening, Thorpe admitted to "inappropriate remarks" and "unreservedly" apologised, but denied any direct reference to Hughes's family.{{cite news |last1= Karp|first1=Paul|date= 1 December 2021|title=Greens senator Lidia Thorpe apologises for 'disgusting' comment directed at Liberal Hollie Hughes |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/dec/02/greens-senator-lidia-thorpe-apologises-for-disgusting-comment-directed-at-liberal-hollie-hughes |url-status= |work=Guardian Australia |location= |archive-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 |archive-date= 27 February 2023|access-date=29 October 2024|quote=}}

In December 2021, following a fire that damaged the 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 and Australian Labor Party. Thorpe deleted the tweet an hour later.{{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=29 October 2024 |work=Canberra Times |location=Canberra, Australian Capital Territory}}

In a June 2022 interview, Thorpe said that the parliament has "no permission to be here [in Australia]" and that she’s a parliament member "only" so she can "infiltrate" the "colonial project." She added that the Australian flag had "no permission to be" in the land. Aboriginal, conservative senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price denounced Thorpe's comments as "divisive" and "childish," and called for her dismissal from the parliament.{{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|access-date=29 October 2024}}

In August 2022, during her swearing-in ceremony, Thorpe added the words "the colonising" in the required Oath of Allegiance to Queen Elizabeth II, saying

"I Lydia Thorpe do solemnly and sincerely affirm and declare 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."{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfM2WOBy8H0 |title=Senate Proceedings - Swearing-In of Senator Lidia Thorpe (2022) |date=2022-07-31 |last=Australian Parliament Fan |access-date=2025-05-03 |via=YouTube}}

On 16 April 2023, footage emerged of Thorpe in a verbal altercation with men outside a Melbourne strip club.{{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}} 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.{{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}} 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."{{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}}{{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}}

During a 2023 parliamentary hearing, while questioning the allocation of 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, Aboriginal senator for the Northern Territory.{{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}}

On 14 June 2023, during the Senate's examination of the 2021 allegations of sexual misconduct in the institution, Thorpe accused Senator David Van of sexually assaulting her in the premises. Van denied the allegation as "disgusting," "unfounded and completely untrue," though he admitted that in 2021 he had moved his office after Thorpe had submitted complaints about "his conduct in parliament." Van was expelled from the Liberal Party.{{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=Nine News}}{{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=Nine News}}{{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}}

When asked about her relations with Senate colleagues, Thorpe stated she gets along well with Malcolm Roberts of One Nation and Matt Canavan of the National Party, despite Roberts and Canavan coming from the opposite end of the ideological spectrum.{{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=5 September 2023 |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-05/lidia-thorpe-on-her-unlikely-senate-friendships/102815106 |access-date=30 September 2024 |archive-date=16 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116022633/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-05/lidia-thorpe-on-her-unlikely-senate-friendships/102815106 |url-status=live }}

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 outlaw biker gang. Martin had been president of the Rebels in Victoria, and had been charged and pleaded guilty to liquor offences in 2013.{{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 }} As a member of the committee, Thorpe became privy to confidential briefings about motorcycle gangs 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. {{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 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 }}

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.{{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 }}

On 24 October 2022, Thorpe referred herself to the Senate privileges committee about her relationship with Martin.{{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 }}

On 20 October 2022, 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. 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".{{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 }}

Thorpe stated she continues to be friends with Martin.{{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}}{{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 }}

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.{{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 }}

On 6 February 2023, Thorpe announced that she would resign from the Greens to become an independent senator, sitting on the cross-bench, over disagreements concerning the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament.{{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 }} In a statement, Thorpe stated that "This country has a strong grassroots 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."{{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}}{{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}}

{{see|Uluru Statement from the Heart|2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum}}

In 2023, Australians were invited to vote Yes or No in a referendum, titled the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, the first referendum in the country since 1999, which Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described, when introducing it, as a "gracious request" that would give Indigenous people much needed input in policies that impact their lives.The full text of the proposal for a referendum was as follows: "A proposed law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?" The proposal was not met with unanimous support by Indigenous Australians. Thorpe, while condemning various "racist" voices of opposition to it, attacked the Indigenous Voice proposal as "nothing but cheap window dressing," and called it a "distraction from the keys to real change: Truth-telling and the recognition of Indigenous sovereignty."{{cite news|last=McHugh|first=Finn|date=20 July 2023|title='Window dressing': Lidia Thorpe's Blak Sovereign Movement releases its own Voice pamphlet|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/window-dressing-lidia-thorpes-blak-sovereign-movement-releases-their-own-voice-pamphlet/w8e9dxg6t|work=SBS|access-date=31 October 2024|archive-date=24 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240724171526/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/window-dressing-lidia-thorpes-blak-sovereign-movement-releases-their-own-voice-pamphlet/w8e9dxg6t|url-status=live}} She became a "key figure" in the so-called Progressive No campaign, acknowledging that the proposal has deeply divided the Indigenous community.{{cite news|last=Brennan|first=Bridget|date=6 October 2023|title=What is the 'progressive no' campaign and could it sway the Voice referendum?|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-07/progressive-no-campaign-voice-referendum/102934288|work=ABC|access-date=31 October 2024|archive-date=24 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924213737/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-07/progressive-no-campaign-voice-referendum/102934288|url-status=live}} The referendum was held on 14 October 2023 and, with a turnout of 89.95%, the proposal was rejected by 60.06% of the voters.{{cite news|last=Ritchie|first=Hannah|location=Sydney|date=14 October 2023|title=The Voice: Australians vote No in historic referendum|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-67110193|work=BBC|access-date=31 October 2024|archive-date=3 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231103042516/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-67110193|url-status=live}}

In an estimates hearing held in June 2024, which examined COVID-19 stimulus funding, Thorpe asked land-council executives whether a grant equal to some $400,000 had been diverted by the Northern Land Council, which represents Aboriginals, towards building at the Twin Hill Station cattle business company a "holiday house" for Marion Scrymgour, indigenous politician and Lingiari federal MP. Thorpe's questioning during the hearing falls under parliamentary privilege, but since the senator repeated the accusation on social media, Scrymgour stated that a concerns notice would be issued to Senator Thorpe since she intends to pursue legal action against the Victorian senator for defamation.{{cite news |last1=Garrick |first1=Matt |last2=Chaseling |first2=Oliver |date=24 June 2024 |title=Marion Scrymgour considering legal action against Victorian senator Lidia Thorpe |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-24/marion-scrymgour-pursues-legal-action-against-lidia-thorpe/104013978 |work=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=25 October 2024 |archive-date=9 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109070902/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-24/marion-scrymgour-pursues-legal-action-against-lidia-thorpe/104013978 |url-status=live }}

On 21 October 2024, Thorpe heckled 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, as part of his royal visit to Australia. As she was escorted away by security, she was heard yelling "Fuck the Colony".{{Cite web |last1=Watson |first1=Katy |last2=Relph |first2=Daniela |date=21 October 2024 |title=Not my King, Australian senator shouts at Charles |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c79n20r750po |access-date=21 October 2024 |publisher=BBC News}}{{Cite news |last1=Lyons |first1=Kate |last2=Middleton |first2=Karen |date=21 October 2024 |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=21 October 2024 |work=The Guardian}} 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.{{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}} 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,{{Cite news |last=Furness |first=Hannah |date=21 October 2024 |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=22 October 2024 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=18 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241118110838/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2024/10/21/king-charles-australia-heckled-genocide/ |url-status=live }} as well as Peter Dutton, Leader of the Opposition, who called on Thorpe to resign from the Senate.{{Cite news |last=Crowley |first=Tom |date=21 October 2024 |title=Dutton says Lidia Thorpe should resign on principle after royal interruption |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-22/dutton-says-thorpe-should-resign-on-principle/104500688 |access-date=28 October 2024 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}{{Cite news |last=Butler |first=Josh |date=22 October 2024 |title=Lidia Thorpe shrugs off Dutton's call to resign, saying she's looking for 'justice' not re-election |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/oct/22/lidia-thorpe-king-charles-peter-dutton-resignation-calls-rejected-ntwnfb |access-date=28 October 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}

In the aftermath of the incident, she was asked about the oath she had recited and signed during her swearing-in process, in which she had sworn allegiance to Queen Elizabeth II and "her heirs". Thorpe claimed she had instead said "her hairs". Constitutional law expert Anne Twomey stated in response that the signed oath would have stated "heirs", and that the presiding officer could exclude Senator Thorpe if they believed a valid oath had not been sworn.{{Cite news |last=Dalzell |first=Stephanie |date=23 October 2024 |title=Senator Lidia Thorpe says she pledged allegiance to the queen's 'hairs', not heirs, in defence of royal protest |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-23/lidia-thorpe-says-she-swore-allegiance-to-queens-hairs/104508694 |access-date=23 October 2024 |work=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |archive-date=10 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110002611/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-23/lidia-thorpe-says-she-swore-allegiance-to-queens-hairs/104508694 |url-status=live }}

Simon Birmingham, leader of the opposition in the Senate, announced that the coalition is considering "legal opinions" on the validity of the senator's constitutional duty of affirmation. Thorpe, subsequently, revised her claim, stating that, when she was being sworn in as a senator, she "mispronounced" heirs as hairs, "without meaning to do so", and did not do it deliberately. In the statement, she added that "they can't get rid of me," pointing out she's "got another three and a half years [of service in the Senate]."{{Cite news |last=Crowley |first=Tom |date=24 October 2024 |title=Thorpe revises comments about oath, now saying she 'misspoke' owing to grammatical error |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-24/labor-open-to-further-action-on-thorpe-but-options-are-limited/104511226 |access-date=24 October 2024 |work=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |archive-date=16 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241116201158/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-24/labor-open-to-further-action-on-thorpe-but-options-are-limited/104511226 |url-status=live }}In 2023, Thorpe'd stated she's set to quit politics when her term expires, citing her age as the reason. See SBS News (2023).

On 18 November 2024, Thorpe was censured by the Australian Senate. The Senate's censure, which passed 46–12, described Thorpe's actions as "disrespectful and disruptive" and said they should disqualify her from representing the chamber as a member of any delegation. A censure motion is politically symbolic but carries no constitutional or legal weight.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz0memjm3jro|title=Australian senator censured for heckling King|last=Ritchie|first=Hannah|publisher=BBC News|date=18 November 2024|access-date=18 November 2024|archive-date=18 November 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241118072638/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz0memjm3jro|url-status=live}}

On 27 November 2024, Thorpe was suspended from the Senate for the remainder of that sitting year for "disorderly conduct" following a confrontation with One Nation's Pauline Hanson after Hanson questioned the eligibility of Fatima Payman to sit in parliament under foreign citizenship requirements. Thorpe is said to have shouted that Hanson was "a convicted racist"{{Cite web |title=SMH AU |url=https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/disgrace-to-the-human-race-senator-unleashes-on-pauline-hanson/news-story/747b0a13e5ef3f0d0fe01e4ae1077145}} and thrown torn-up paper in Hanson's direction before walking out with her middle finger raised.{{cite news |last1=Butler |first1=Josh |title=Hanson alleging Fatima Payman in breach of section 44 ends with Thorpe giving Senate the finger |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/nov/27/hanson-alleging-payman-in-breach-of-section-44-ends-with-thorpe-giving-senate-the-finger-ntwnfb |access-date=28 November 2024 |work=Guardian |date=27 November 2024}} The morning after her suspension, Thorpe entered the Senate through the press gallery and yelled "Free Palestine" with her fist raised before departing of her own accord.{{cite news |last1=Evans |first1=Jake |title=Lidia Thorpe responds to extraordinary suspension from Senate |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-28/lidia-thorpe-responds-to-extraordinary-suspension-from-senate/104657054 |access-date=28 November 2024 |work=ABC News |date=28 November 2024}} Thorpe also attended a rally outside the building during which she described the "disciplinary colonial actions" levelled against her as a "badge of honour" and stated that she felt the Senate was a "very violent workplace" consisting of "mainly white men in suits, who look down on people like me."{{cite news |last1=Basford Canales |first1=Sarah |title=Lidia Thorpe calls Senate suspension a 'disciplinary colonial action' she wears as a 'badge of honour' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/nov/28/lidia-thorpe-calls-senate-suspension-a-disciplinary-colonial-action-she-wears-as-a-badge-of-honour-ntwnfb |access-date=28 November 2024 |work=Guardian |date=28 November 2024}}

After The Australian published a report in October 2024 stating that Thorpe had missed 16 of the Senate’s 44 sitting days that year, she revealed that she was recovering from injuries sustained in an assault on 25 May while attending an Australian Rules Football match in Melbourne. The suspect, a 28-year-old indigenous woman, was charged, following her arrest on 25 July, with two counts of recklessly causing injury and three counts of unlawful assault at a stadium. The two women, reportedly, know each other. A police statement described the senator’s injuries from the alleged assault as minor. Thorpe stated that she had "sustained serious nerve and spinal injuries in [her] neck, which required spinal surgery and a plate to be inserted".{{Cite news |last=McGuirk |first=Rod |date=28 October 2024|title=Woman charged with assaulting Australian senator who shouted at the king |url=https://apnews.com/article/australia-senator-assaulted-king-charles-lidia-thorpe-6433e69a991a429b7e26587bec7ac485 |access-date=29 October 2024 |work=Associated Press}}

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, and co-chair of the Victorian NAIDOC Committee.

Thorpe has supported the Pay the Rent campaign, which calls on non-Aboriginal Australians to voluntarily pay reparations through an organisation of the same name.{{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 }}

Thorpe has been critical of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, believing there should be a 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".{{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 }}

On Australia Day 2019, an inaugural dawn service organised by Thorpe was held at the Kings Domain Resting Place as a day of mourning and reflection on the colonisation of Australia with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in attendance for the ceremony.{{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}}

On 25 February 2023, Thorpe, after walking behind the police float that was taking part in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade and shouting slogans against police violence, laid down in front of the float in protest against the participation of the police in the parade.{{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=29 October 2024 |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 }} The parade was temporarily halted and eventually Thorpe walked away without being arrested. A spokesman for the Sydney Mardi Gras event stated that, although they respect every individual's right to protest, her interruption of the parade had "significant implications for the safety of participants and audience."

In March 2023, footage emerged of Thorpe being tackled to the ground by a police officer while attending a demonstration outside of Parliament House. Thorpe was part of a group countering an anti-transgender rights rally at Parliament House, in which Party of Women leader and anti-transgender rights activist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull was taking part. Australian Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus was reported to be investigating the matter and having sought advice from the commissioner of the Australian Federal Police.{{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 }} Thorpe claimed her treatment by the police constituted assault, while the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney, stated the incident was "disturbing and concerning."{{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=29 October 2024 |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 }}

When Thorpe's "genocide bill" was rejected by the parliament in March 2025, she stated that the move reflects the country's "colonial interests".{{cite web|title= Political Block on Atrocity Prosecutions Remains, As Major Parties Reject Genocide Reforms |url= https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/political-block-on-atrocity-prosecutions-remain-as-major-parties-reject-genocide-reforms/|website=Sydney Criminal Lawyers|date=28 March 2025}}{{cite web|title= Australia voting down genocide bill reflects 'colonial interests': Lawmaker|url= https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/australia-voting-down-genocide-bill-reflects-colonial-interests-lawmaker/3520867|website=Anadolu Agency|date=26 March 2025}}

Thorpe was awarded the Fellowship for Indigenous Leadership in 2008.

Thorpe's grandmother, Alma Thorpe, was one of the founders of the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service{{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}}{{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}} in 1973, the year of Lidia's birth, and was also involved in the setting up of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy. Her mother, Marjorie Thorpe, was a co-commissioner for the Stolen Generations inquiry 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 Gippsland.{{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 }}

Both Alma and her mother, Edna Brown, were Koori activists in Footscray and Collingwood. Edna had been forcibly moved out of Framlingham Aboriginal Reserve in 1932, aged 15, before becoming a community activist. 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. 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.

She became a single mother at the age of 17. She has three children, from "relationships that never lasted," and {{as of|April 2022|lc=yes}} four grandchildren.

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.{{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}}

She plays Australian rules football and netball.

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• [https://www.lidiathorpe.com/ Official website]

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