‘Unacceptable’: Ruling in Thorpe racism row

The ugly clash between Senator Lidia Thorpe and Senator Hollie Hughes kicked off during a late night debate over the safeguard mechanism on Tuesday evening.

In a statement to the senate on Thursday afternoon, president Sue Lines chastised the conduct of those involved and ordered parliamentarians to do better.

“It is unacceptable that senators continue to disregard the authority of the chair while points of order are raised and determined,” she said following a review of the incident.

“I intend to take a firmer line in calling the chamber to order, particularly in question time.

“In order to preserve the dignity of the chamber, I remind all senators of the behaviour codes and your endorsement of these codes in this chamber and the other place.”

Senator Hughes was picked up on the official parliamentary transcript muttering “how many times has this happened today” as Senator Thorpe acknowledged the traditional custodians of the Beetaloo Basin during her speech.

“Is that racism?” Can I just call out racism in this chamber right now, please?” the Victorian senator asked acting deputy president Linda Reynolds.

Senator Hughes responded by demanding the claim she was racist be withdrawn, which Senator Thorpe refused.

“You don’t see that as racist?” she asked.

Senator Reynolds said it was “not my call” to say if it was racist.

“I am in my workplace, and I don’t need racists being racist to me while I’m reading my speech. Can you make sure that I am not targeted with racism while I’m trying to do my job, please?’’ Senator Thorpe said.

The ugly clash soon descended into shouting and finger pointing as Senator Hughes continued to demand Senator Thorpe withdraw the “absolutely inappropriate” comment.

Speaking to Sky News later on Wednesday evening, Senator Hughes said her claim was not racially motivated before firing back with her own accusation.

“I’m getting fed up to the teeth with Lidia Thorpe referring to anyone who’s not Indigenous as a coloniser,” Senator Hughes said.

“I find that racist, I find it offensive.”

Following a review of the incident, the senate president concluded that while Senator Thorpe asking whether an interjection was racist did not breach standing orders, her later accusation did.

She was ordered to withdraw her comment.

Senator Lines ruled that the chair at the time should have sought Senator Hughes to clarify or withdraw her initial interjection as Senator Thorpe found it “personally offensive”.

“However, because of the subsequent disorder, that was not possible. In those circumstances, I think it would be appropriate for Senator Hughes to either withdraw or clarify her remarks,” she added.

The Liberal senator promptly withdrew her comment “in order to maintaining dignity of the chamber”.