SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

First indigenous woman Victorian MP

Victoria has sworn in its first Aboriginal woman MP in its 161-year history after the Northcote by-election.

Victorian Greens MP Lidia Thorpe
Lidia Thorpe has been sworn in as the first indigenous woman to be elected to Victoria's parliament. (AAP)

1 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Skip to article content

The first indigenous woman has been sworn in to Victoria's 161-year-old parliament.

Lidia Thorpe on Tuesday was walked into the Legislative Assembly by Greens colleagues Ellen Sandell and Sam Hibbins.

The new member for Northcote was sworn in and is due to make her maiden speech on Wednesday afternoon.

On November 18 Ms Thorpe trumped 90 years of Labor reign in the inner-Melbourne seat to win a by-election.

The Gunnai-Gunditjmara woman said on the night of her victory she was "privileged and honoured" to make history.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

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

Her election makes her the third Greens MP to enter the lower house, where the cross bench is already full with five other members.

The Northcote by-election was forced by the cancer death of family violence minister Fiona Richardson.


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

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

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world