Much to the relief of The Greens parliamentary party and most of their constituents, Senator Lidia Thorpe the Greens spokesperson on First Nations People has left the party and will sit on the crossbench as an Independent.
A meeting was called by Greens Leader Adam Bandt an hour from Lidia Thorpe’s home on the weekend to talk through the issues she has with the overwhelming view by the Greens that the ALP Voice constitutional initiative should be supported. She was a no show and it was clear that her position was untenable given her contrary opinion. She refused to allow any other voice in the party on Indigenous issues including leader Adam Bandt and WA Indigenous Senator Dorinda Cox.
She is entitled to continue to sit in The Senate as an Independent until 2028 with a staff of 6.
Image: Image: Wikicommons -Matt Hrkac
Produced By: Roderick Chambers
Featured In Story: Dr Stewart Jackson, Senior Lecturer in Politics, University of Sydney
First aired on The Wire, Tuesday 7 February 2023