Lidia Thorpe

Lidia Thorpe is an Independent Senator in the Australian Parliament. She is currently newsworthy for two main reasons: firstly, her involvement in advocating for changes to parliamentary rules to address what she and others describe as racism and bigotry within the system. She has joined with other parliamentarians like Fatima Payman and Mehreen Faruqi to demand Senate President Sue Lines take action. Secondly, she has publicly criticized the federal government's handling of Indigenous deaths in custody, arguing that they need to take more responsibility and stop deferring to states and territories, particularly in light of a recent damning report on the issue. Her statements highlight her continued focus on Indigenous rights and systemic issues within Australian institutions. Her relevance stems from her position as an Independent Senator, giving her a platform to advocate for these issues and hold the government accountable.