Lidia Thorpe storms out of Senate estimates hearing – ‘disgrace to her people’
Lidia Thorpe storms out of hearing after another native senator calls her ‘a disgrace to your people’ – leading to a furious shouting match between the two
- Senator Thorpe called ‘an embarrassment to her people’
- She had a shouting match with a Labor senator
Lidia Thorpe stormed out of a Senate estimates hearing after a fiery clash with Senator Malarndirri McCarthy where she was labeled “an embarrassment to her people.”
The shouting broke out during a heated argument over Commonwealth funding for security initiatives in the Northern Territory.
Independent Native Senator and Senator McCarthy, a Gulf Country Yanyuwa woman in the NT, squabbled over some of the money spent on the police.
The Senate Legislative Committee on Finance and Public Administration held hearings on budget estimates involving the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA).
Lidia Thorpe (pictured) has stormed out of a Senate hearing where she was labeled ‘an embarrassment to her people’
Senator Thorpe asked a question about NIAA money, intended for Indigenous Australia, going to the NT police.
“Is black money being used for NT police?” said Senator Thorpe.
Officials responded that $14.2 million from the NIAA was given to the NT police for community safety.
“I’m so violated by that response, I’m so disgusted when the Northern Territory Police Department gets $14 million when our youth services are struggling,” Senator Thorpe said.
She then turned to Senator McCarthy, the assistant minister for Indigenous Australians, asking: ‘How can you let this happen.’
Senator Thorpe yelled “disgusting” and “shame on you” and took aim at the police, including Native officers, as Senator McCarthy tried to explain.
“You’re the one who’s dishonoring the Senate, your people… How dare you,” Senator McCarthy retorted during the loud and heated argument.
Lidia Thorpe is pictured storming out of a Senate hearing on estimates in Canberra on Wednesday
Controversial Senator Lidia Thorpe got into a shouting match with Senator Malarndirri McCarthy of Indigenous Labor (pictured)
Senator Thorpe called on Senator McCarthy to retract the statement that she was “an embarrassment to my people,” saying she was “personally assaulted by the Senator.”
“I’m sure we still have a lot to clear up from the last few minutes of Hansard (the official report in parliament),” she said.
Senator McCarthy asked Senator Thorpe to retract the “how dare you” comment.
Both senators retracted their remarks before Senator Thorpe picked up her papers and walked out before the end of the session, saying “an absolute disgrace.”