AFP investigates Lidia Thorpe's 'burn down Parliament House' remarks

Thorpe's comments sparked a political firestorm, with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke urging leaders to avoid inflaming community tensions.

Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe during Question Time in the Senate chamber at Parliament House in Canberra

Lidia Thorpe's comments at a Palestinian rally have sparked a political backlash. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas

Senator Lidia Thorpe is being investigated by Australian Federal Police after saying she's prepared to "burn down Parliament House" in support of Palestinians.

Thorpe said her remarks at a pro-Palestine rally were "clearly" a figure of speech.

But in a rare public statement, the AFP confirmed it would consider whether the comments breached legislation.
"This will be done methodically," an AFP spokesperson said.

"It is not the usual practice of the AFP to provide a running commentary on matters.

"However, noting the public commentary and concern, the AFP is seeking to reassure the community that this issue is being appropriately considered and undertaken in a timely manner."
Independent senator Lidia Thorpe speaking at a press conference
Lidia Thorpe said that she had always rejected violence and was committed to pursuing justice through peaceful, democratic means. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas
At a rally in Melbourne on Sunday, the firebrand senator for Victoria compared the plight of Palestinians to that of Indigenous Australians.

"So we stand with you every day, and we will fight every day and we will turn up every day and if I have to, burn down Parliament House to make a point," she said, to cheers from the crowd.

The comments sparked a political firestorm, with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke urging leaders to avoid inflaming community tensions.

He said the natural instinct when "offensive" comments were made was to "increase the pressure."

"I don't think that's in the interests of social cohesion," he told reporters in Canberra.

He said her comments "speak for themselves ... but I also don't think us raising the temperature in return does anything other than create a problem".
Thorpe clarified her comments on Monday, saying they were "a metaphor for the pain in our communities".

"They were obviously not a literal threat," she said in a statement.

"This mock outrage is ridiculous. While people are dying and starving in Gaza, politicians and media are once again clutching their pearls and chasing a scandal."

Deputy Liberal leader Ted O'Brien said the comments went against Australian values.

"To be making those sort of statements are absolutely appalling ... and to hear the roar of the crowd, that's deeply concerning," he said.

Both sides of politics are hoping the release of Israeli hostages and the next stages of the ceasefire deal in Gaza will help soothe community tensions at home.


For the latest from SBS News, download our app and subscribe to our newsletter.

Share
3 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world