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Pauline Hanson levels lawsuit at Lidia Thorpe and Today show

<p>Pauline Hanson, leader of the One Nation party, has initiated defamation proceedings against Senator Lidia Thorpe and Channel Nine’s <em>Today</em> show after being described as “a convicted racist” during a live television interview.</p> <p>Legal letters sent to both parties demand immediate apologies and retractions, claiming the statement is false and defamatory.</p> <p>Hanson’s legal team, represented by barrister Sue Chrysanthou and solicitor Anthony Jeffries, has labelled the situation “highly irresponsible” and warned of further legal action if the demands are not met.</p> <p>In the letter to Senator Thorpe, Hanson’s lawyers argue, “You alleged during that interview that Senator Hanson has been convicted of racism. That never occurred.” They insist no criminal conviction of that nature exists and called on Thorpe to issue a public correction.</p> <p>The dispute arises in the wake of a Federal Court ruling earlier this month, where Hanson was found to have racially vilified Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi. The ruling stemmed from a 2022 social media post in which Hanson told Senator Faruqi to “pack your bags and p*ss off back to Pakistan”. Justice Angus Stewart described the tweet as an “angry personal attack” that conveyed “a strong form of racism”.</p> <p>Hanson has appealed the court's decision, arguing that the statement did not target Faruqi’s race, religion or ethnicity and should not be classified as racist. Her legal team claims the tweet was directed solely at Senator Faruqi and was not reflective of broader discrimination. They further argue that the original judgment misinterpreted the context of the remarks.</p> <p>In the same <em>Today</em> show interview, Senator Thorpe also described Australia as “a very racist, divided country”. Thorpe has not yet publicly addressed Hanson’s legal warning.</p> <p>Hanson, whose supporters have donated nearly $700,000 to fund her legal efforts, appears ready for a protracted legal battle. Her legal filings challenge the broader interpretations of offensive speech and the legal thresholds for defamation and racial vilification.</p> <p><em>Images: Today Show</em></p>

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Lidia Thorpe barred from Parliament after Pauline Hanson clash

<p>Independent senator Lidia Thorpe has been suspended from parliament after she threw pieces of paper at Pauline Hanson in the upper house as a row over racism erupted. The incident occurred when One Nation leader Hanson attempted to refer former Labor senator Fatima Payman to a parliamentary committee over her dual Afghan citizenship, questioning her eligibility to sit in the upper house.</p> <p>Senator Thorpe backed Senator Payman, yelling "convicted racist" at Senator Hanson as she threw torn-up documents at her. The outburst escalated when Senator Thorpe gave the middle finger over her shoulder as she walked out of the chamber.</p> <p>Labor Senate leader Penny Wong moved the motion to oust Senator Thorpe until the end of Thursday, passing 46 votes to 11. The government, coalition, Senator Hanson, David Pocock and Ralph Babet voted in favour of the motion. Only the Greens stood against it, and while Senator Thorpe's staff attended the vote, she did not.</p> <p>Senator Wong then spoke about the need for a safe workplace, stating, "All Australians have a right to be safe at work... This fortnight alone the senator has been censured, she has sworn in the chamber, repeatedly made offensive gestures when leaving the chamber and made comments resulting in First Nation senators from across this chamber feeling culturally unsafe, and all of that was prior to today's incident, which culminated in Senator Thorpe tearing up papers and throwing them at another senator on the Senate floor."</p> <p>Defending the Greens' decision, Senate leader Larissa Waters said, "A number of our senators feel unsafe due to the conduct of Senator Thorpe. And a number of senators in this place feel unsafe due to the conduct of Senator Hanson." </p> <p>This incident is the latest in a series of controversial actions by Senator Thorpe. She was recently censured by the upper house over her publicised protest against King Charles during the monarch's visit to Parliament House in October. During that incident, Thorpe shouted at the King, "You committed genocide against our people; give us our land back; give us back what you stole from us … we want a treaty in this country."</p> <p><em>Images: Nine News</em></p>

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"Shame on you all": Lydia Thorpe hits back after Senate censure

<p>Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe has spoken out after the Senate voted to censure her over a protest she staged during King Charles' Australian visit.</p> <p>During the monarch's visit to Canberra, Thorpe started yelling from the back of the room following King Charles' speech to a room of political and community leaders at Parliament House's Great Hall. </p> <p>“You committed genocide against our people. Give us our land back. Give us what you stole from us, our bones, our skulls, our babies, our people, you destroyed our land,” Thorpe said during her outburst.</p> <p>“We want a treaty in this country. This is not your land. You are not my King, you are not our King. F*** the colony.”</p> <p>The outburst prompted a vote from the Senate to censure Thorpe - meaning to formally share an expression of the Senate's disapproval - as she responded to the decision on Monday saying, the motion was "a clear articulation of the racism that I continually have to deal with in my workplace."</p> <p>Thorpe said the vote was, "A time where you see Labor and the Liberal party come together to shut down a Blak voice — that’s been happening in this country for over 200 years."</p> <p>The Senate passed a motion 46 votes to 12 to censure her over her actions, as Thorpe entered the Senate chamber after the vote and yelled: "Shame on you all".</p> <p>"If (the king) comes back in, I'll do it again."</p> <p>Thorpe was not present for the vote due to a flight delay, although she said she had contacted Labor minister Don Farrell to ask him to delay the vote but claimed she was "denied my right to be in that chamber whilst everybody else voted to shut me down".</p> <p>Thorpe later told reporters she "did not give a damn" about being censured and tore up a piece of paper with the motion on it.</p> <p>Thorpe said in a statement before the vote took place that that motion showed "where the major parties' priorities lie".</p> <p>"They don't stand with First Peoples in this country. They stand against justice for our people, preferring instead to defend a foreign king, rather than listen to the truth," she said.</p> <p>"In no way do I regret protesting the King ... it is time this country reckons with its history, and puts a stop to the continuing genocide on First Peoples."</p> <p>Image credits: MICK TSIKAS/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Editorial </p>

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"Most loathed woman in parliament": Karl Stefanovic grills Lidia Thorpe

<p>Karl Stefanovic has labelled Lidia Thorpe as “the most loathed woman in parliament” during a fiery interview on the <em>Today </em>show. </p> <p>The <em>Today </em>host interviewed the politician on Thursday morning, noting that her decision to <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/you-are-not-my-king-lidia-thorpe-interrupts-charles-parliament-house-visit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">heckle King Charles</a> was not winning her much support. </p> <p>“Lidia, good morning to you. Nice to see you. I think it’s fair to say you might very well be the most loathed woman in parliament in Canberra at the moment. And that’s really saying something,’’ Stefanovic said. </p> <p>However, the Senator had no regrets and said that she was used to being "the black sheep" of politics. </p> <p>“Oh, well, it’s just another day in the colony, Karl. I’m used to that treatment,” she said.</p> <p>“You know. I am the black sheep of the family, if you like. But I wanted to send a message to the King. I got that message across. The whole world is talking about it.</p> <p>“And my people are happy because my people have been protesting for decades and decades. As you all know, for exactly this. And so the message has been sent, delivered. Now it’s up to the King of England to respond.”</p> <p>Stefanovic then asked her: “The question this morning you were being asked is, why the hell doesn’t Lidia Thorpe just do everyone a favour and get out of Canberra? Will you?”</p> <p>To which she replied: “I’m about truth telling. I’m loud, proud, black. Get used to it and listen to what I have to say.</p> <p>“We need to grow up as a nation and get rid of him and have our own head of state.”</p> <p>The broadcaster then showed a video of her swearing allegiance to the late Queen Elizabeth. </p> <p>“Did that hurt a little when you swore your allegiance? Did it take a little bit of your soul?’’ Stefanovic asked.</p> <p>“Absolutely it did. And I had to go through a process with my family prior to doing that, because swearing allegiance to someone else from another country whose ancestors have done a lot of damage to my ancestors, I think is completely inappropriate,” she replied. </p> <p>This comes after Thorpe's <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/lidia-thorpe-s-pledge-to-queen-elizabeth-raises-questions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pledge to Queen Elizabeth's</a> "hairs" instead of "heir" came to light.</p> <p>“We don’t need to be paying the Governor-General $800,000 a year to sign a piece of legislation. And we paid for that man to come here. How many millions of dollars did that cost?” she continued. </p> <p>Karl hit back saying that Thorpe herself is “getting paid pretty well to be part of the process and to be part of parliament, a place you clearly despise.”</p> <p>She replied: “Yeah. I’m being paid to do my job. You could say it’s paying the rent if you like." </p> <p>“This government has walked back a treaty. I know the opposition is not interested in treaty. So where else do you go? You go to the King of England. Who? Whose ancestors treated with other countries but didn’t treaty here. So there’s unfinished business. I’ll spend the next three years getting that unfinished business done.”</p> <p><em>Images: Nine</em></p>

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Lidia Thorpe's "pledge" to Queen Elizabeth raises questions

<p>Senator Lidia Thorpe has revealed she twisted her words during her pledge of allegiance while being sworn in to Parliament, leaving other senators calling for action. </p> <p>While explaining her <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/you-are-not-my-king-lidia-thorpe-interrupts-charles-parliament-house-visit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stunt</a> in Canberra during King Charles' visit to Australia, Thorpe said she did not regret her protest against the monarch. </p> <p>She said King Charles III, who she called “Charlie” was “not the King of this country” and suggested the royal family, from a historical perspective, were “murdering thieves”.</p> <p>“The colonial system is all about shutting Blak women down in this country. They have got a very good track record of that,” she said on ABC. </p> <p>“I can tell you now there are Elders, grassroots Aboriginal people across this country and Torres Strait Islander people who are just so proud (of her protest),” Senator Thorpe said.</p> <p>“They say that it has lit a fire back in their belly and they want to join the resistance. I have been contacted by Elders who have said, particularly a Ngunnawal Elder who said, ‘I wished you had told me you were going to do that because I would have walked right beside you’”.</p> <p>Following Thorpe's outburst, Victorian Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie has raised concerns this week that her outburst may have involved renouncing her sworn parliamentary affirmation to be faithful and bear true allegiance to the monarch.</p> <p>ABC host Greg Bennett posed the question to Thorpe, “Did you renounce that in the comments you delivered in the Great Hall?,” to which the Senator said she never did in the first place. </p> <p>“And I swore allegiance to the Queen’s hairs, if you listen close enough,” she said. “It was her hairs, not her heirs that I was giving my allegiance to and now that they are no longer here, I don’t know where that stands."</p> <p>“I’m not giving up my job, I’m not resigning. I am not an expert on colonial laws. The only experience I have had with colonial laws is the violence of them and the violence of pledging allegiance to the oppressor is absolutely out of date and absolutely a disgusting thing to make someone do."</p> <p>“This country wants to swear allegiance to a king from another country whose ancestors have been responsible for massacres, so many massacres in this country, killing our children and women. Why would I, with my hand on my heart, kneel to an oppressor?"</p> <p>National Senator Bridget McKenzie said that Senator Thorpe had questions to answer, saying on ABC radio, “Senator Thorpe, I think, is the only parliamentarian that I’ve ever known to disavow their oath of allegiance to our sovereign and their heirs and successors according to law.”</p> <p>“So if it was happening in a court of law where you breached your oath, that’s contempt, that’s perjury, that’s a criminal offence, and so I think there are some legitimate questions to be asked about this and what is the consequence of Senator Thorpe’s action from a constitutional perspective.”</p> <p>But Monash University constitutional law professor Luke Beck disagreed, saying, “Engaging in protest activity is not grounds for disqualification. Advocating for a republic is not a ground for disqualification.“</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock/LUKAS COCH/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Editorial </em></p>

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"Give him a break": Karl Stefanovic weighs in on Lidia Thorpe outburst

<p>Karl Stefanovic has jumped to King Charles' defence after Lidia Thorpe's outburst Parliament House. </p> <p>The Today Host was joined by two political commentators to share their thoughts on the situation, reflecting on Thorpe's <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/you-are-not-my-king-lidia-thorpe-interrupts-charles-parliament-house-visit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tirade</a> during a welcome ceremony for King Charles. </p> <p>The monarch had just finished his speech and was returning to his seat after shaking hands with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese when Thorpe started yelling from the back of the room. </p> <p>“You committed genocide against our people. Give us our land back. Give us what you stole from us, our bones, our skulls, our babies, our people, you destroyed our land,” Thorpe said during her outburst on Monday.</p> <p>“We want a treaty in this country. This is not your land. You are not my King, you are not our King. F*** the colony.”</p> <p>On Tuesday morning, Stefanovic jumped to the King's defence, saying "you don't have to like the King, but give him a break" after what he's been through the past few years.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBaFUelBdwU/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBaFUelBdwU/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by thetodayshow (@thetodayshow)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"I just wanted to give my take on what happened yesterday and the whole thing," the Today host began.</p> <p>"The dude has been going through a lot, for obvious reasons his youngest son's cheese has slightly fallen off its cracker, that son is feuding with the good son and as a parent that must ache his soul."</p> <p>"The good son's beautiful wife got diagnosed with cancer at the same time as pops, so imagine the psychology and physicality of that joint battle, he hasn't finished treatment yet, but he flies all the way to Australia and starts pressing the flesh straight away because for some bizarre reason, he genuinely loves this country and us and in comes Lidia giving a welcome to country 'Thorpe style' in sacred possum gear, shouting obscenities at him."</p> <p>"And all the while, the King and Queen just keep smiling - you don't have to like the Royal family and what it stands for, but by goodness, this King is a dude."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Today/LUKAS COCH/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Editorial  </em></p>

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"You are not my King": Lidia Thorpe interrupts Charles' Parliament House visit

<p>Senator Lidia Thorpe has caused a stir in Parliament House as she launched into a tirade against King Charles during his welcome to Canberra. </p> <p>The monarch had just finished his speech and was returning to his seat after shaking hands with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese when Thorpe started yelling from the back of the room. </p> <p>“You committed genocide against our people. Give us our land back. Give us what you stole from us, our bones, our skulls, our babies, our people, you destroyed our land,” Thorpe said during her outburst on Monday.</p> <p>“We want a treaty in this country. This is not your land. You are not my King, you are not our King. F*** the colony.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBX9nEUoQ9r/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBX9nEUoQ9r/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by The Daily Aus (TDA) (@thedailyaus)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Security quickly swarmed around Thorpe and escorted her from the Great Hall, where a reception for political and community leaders was being held.</p> <p>The King continued to chat with Albanese during the disruption, which lasted about one minute.</p> <p>The outburst has sparked calls for Thorpe to resign, with the Australian Monarchist League describing her behaviour as a “childish demonstration”.</p> <p>“Senator Thorpe should step down with immediate effect,” league national chair Philip Benwell said.</p> <p>“The Australian Monarchist League unequivocally condemns the ill-considered behaviour of this isolated senator."</p> <p>“Her childish demonstration has done nothing to diminish the gratitude and pride that millions of Australians have for our country, its history, its peoples and its sound system of governance. In fact, it has likely only strengthened these feelings."</p> <p>“Should she not resign, the league expects Senator Thorpe will be referred to the President of the Senate and that her misconduct will be addressed in accordance with what is the obvious and prevailing public sentiment.”</p> <p>In a statement released on Monday afternoon, Thorpe said her aim was to “hand King Charles a notice of complicity in the genocide of the First Peoples of this county”.</p> <p>“The visit by the so-called King should be an occasion of truth-telling about the true history of this country,” Thorpe said. “The colonial state has been built on the continuing genocide on First Peoples.”</p> <p>“Today I was silenced and removed from the parliamentary reception when pointing out that the Crown stole from First Peoples."</p> <p>“The British Crown committed heinous crimes against the First Peoples of this country. These crimes include war crimes, crimes against humanity and failure to prevent genocide. There has been no justice for these crimes. The Crown must be held accountable.”</p> <p>Following the statement, Thorpe was forced to apologise to her online followers for a different display of anti-royalism, as an artwork of the King being beheaded was posted to her Instagram. </p> <p>The controversial MP said that the image was uploaded “without her knowledge” and she has now “deleted it”.</p> <p>Writing on X she said, “Earlier tonight, without my knowledge, one of my staff shared an image to my Instagram stories created by another account."</p> <p>“I deleted it as soon as I saw. I would not intentionally share anything that could be seen to encourage violence against anyone. That’s not what I’m about.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: LUKAS COCH/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Editorial </em></p>

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Ian Thorpe opens up on darkest moment of his career

<p>Ian Thorpe has recalled the moment an irregular drug test almost upended his life and destroyed his reputation. </p> <p>The Aussie swimming legend opened up about a few key moments in his personal life that coincided with the height of his swimming career in a tell-all new book. </p> <p>The 41-year-old athlete singled out the drug test chapter as one of the darkest moments of his career in a new book Profiles In Hope, written by former NSW Liberal leader John Brogden.</p> <p>In 2006, Thorpe underwent a routine drug test that returned an irregular result, with French newspaper <em>L’Equipe</em> reporting that he had returned an unusual level of testosterone.</p> <p>However, results also showed a hormone called leutenising hormone, another naturally occurring substance.</p> <p>The news of the test gained international attraction, and resulted in Thorpe launching a lawsuit against the newspaper.</p> <p>“An irregular test isn’t uncommon. They happen. So firstly, no one should know that information to begin with,” Thorpe says in the book, according to the <em><a title="www.dailymail.co.uk" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/olympics/article-13845887/Ian-Thorpe-goes-public-never-heard-devastating-admission.html">Daily Mail</a></em>.</p> <p>“An irregular test means nothing. An irregular test gets thrown out."</p> <p>He said at the time the speculation that he was a cheat was “so upsetting” and the way the information was leaked to French journalist made him feel “deeply alarmed”.</p> <p>He also admitted that during the media storm around the testing, he did not want to leave his home and says now he had thoughts about taking his own life and staging it as an accident.</p> <p>The “Thorpedo” now has the tools in place for his mental health to look back and think he could have handled it better. </p> <p>“In that kind of state, you’re entirely irrational, your logic is warped,” he tells Brogden.</p> <p>“It’s only in the periods when you have clarity of mind, when your mental health is good, that you can actually reflect on things and say, ‘Well, I could have done this’. </p> <p>“I realised what I was doing wasn’t working, and that I needed help. So I got that help, and even though I was still in a long-term depressive state, I got better. I wasn’t at the point of suicide.”</p> <p><em><strong>Need to talk to someone? Don't go it alone. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or <a href="http://lifeline.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="http://lifeline.org.au" data-sk="tooltip_parent">lifeline.org.au</a></strong></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

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Distraught wife of cricket legend reveals cause of death

<p>The grieving wife of late cricket legend Graham Thorpe has spoken out after her husband's untimely <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/tragic-news-cricket-legend-dies-at-just-55" target="_blank" rel="noopener">death</a>, revealing that he tragically took his own life. </p> <p>After an illustrious cricket career in the UK, Thorpe died on August 5th at just 55 years old, leaving behind his wife and four children. </p> <p>Thorpe had previously been hospitalised in May 2022 following a suicide attempt, but made a full recovery. </p> <p>His wife Amanda has spoken out about her husband's mental illness, sharing how he had been suffering for many years. </p> <p>“Despite having a wife and two daughters whom he loved and who loved him, he did not get better,” Amanda told <em>The Times</em>.</p> <p>“He was so unwell in recent times and he really did believe that we would be better off without him.”</p> <p>She added: “We are devastated that he acted on that and took his own life.”</p> <p>Amanda said Graham had suffered from major depression and anxiety “for a couple of years”, explaining, “Despite glimpses of hope and of the old Graham, he continued to suffer from depression and anxiety, which at times got very severe."</p> <p>“We supported him as a family and he tried many, many treatments but unfortunately none of them really seemed to work."</p> <p>“Graham was renowned as someone who was very mentally strong on the field and he was in good physical health. But mental illness is a real disease and can affect anyone.”</p> <p>Following his sudden death, the England and Wales Cricket Board released a statement that said, “It is with great sadness that we share the news that Graham Thorpe, MBE, has passed away."</p> <p>“There seem to be no appropriate words to describe the deep shock we feel at Graham’s death."</p> <p>“More than one of England’s finest-ever batters, he was a beloved member of the cricket family and revered by fans all over the world."</p> <p><em><strong>Need to talk to someone? Don't go it alone. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or <a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">lifeline.org.au</a></strong></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Colorsport/Shutterstock Editorial</em></p>

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“Tragic news”: Cricket legend dies at just 55

<p>England cricket great Graham Thorpe has passed away aged just 55. </p> <p>The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed the news on Monday, with no immediate cause of death announced. </p> <p>He was regarded as one of the best batters of his generation, with a career that spanned 100 Test matches. </p> <p>“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Graham Thorpe, MBE, has passed away,”  a statement from the ECB said.</p> <p>"There seem to be no appropriate words to describe the deep shock we feel at Graham's deaths.</p> <p>"More than one of England's finest-ever batters, he was a beloved member of the cricket family and revered by fans all over the world.</p> <p>"His skill was unquestioned, and his abilities and achievements across a 13-year international career brought so much happiness to his teammates and England and Surrey CCC supporters alike.</p> <p>"Later, as a coach, he guided the best England men's talent to some incredible victories across all formats of the game. The cricket world is in mourning today.</p> <p>"Our hearts go out to his wife Amanda, his children, father Geoff, and all of his family and friends during this unimaginably difficult time.</p> <p>"We will always remember Graham for his extraordinary contributions to the sport."</p> <p>Thorpe made his international debut in 1993 and scored a century on his first Ashes appearance, becoming the first England player to do so in 20 years.</p> <p>He played 82 one-day international games for England and amassed over 6700 runs in the Test arena, including 16 centuries. </p> <p>After retiring from playing duties in 2005, Thorpe transitioned into coaching and spent time as a batting coach for the national side between 2010 and 2022.</p> <p>He was set to take over the head coaching role with Afghanistan before falling ill.</p> <p>Tributes have poured in from Thorpe's fellow teammates and former coaches. </p> <p>“RIP Thorpey. Thanks for all the advice throughout my career, you were a great player and a brilliant teammate. You have gone far too young but you leave as an England cricket legend ... Thoughts with all who knew Thorpey and to all the family xxx,” Michael Vaughan, who captained Thorpe towards the end of his Test career, wrote on social media. </p> <p>Former Australian coach Darren Lehmann paid tribute by tweeting three tear emojis.</p> <p>“Heartbreaking to see Thorpey has passed away. He was one of my heroes growing up and I was fortunate to work with him. My thoughts go out to all of his friends and family during this tough time,” wrote current England opener Ben Duckett. </p> <p>“This is desperately tragic news. Aged just 55," Channel 7 commentator Alison Mitchell said. </p> <p><em>Image: Colorsport/ Shutterstock editorial</em></p> <p> </p>

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Injured Ian Thorpe spotted in wheelchair

<p>Aussie swimming legend Ian Thorpe has been seen using a wheelchair at the Olympic trials in Brisbane following a painful injury understood to have been sustained during the filming of a reality TV show.</p> <p>Thorpe, 41, was hurt while participating in the filming of <em>Celebrity Amazing Race</em>, <a href="https://7news.com.au/sport/swimming/ian-thorpe-spotted-in-a-wheelchair-after-suffering-a-painful-injury-while-shooting-a-reality-tv-show-c-14997532" target="_blank" rel="noopener">as reported by 7NEWS</a>, where he teamed up with his childhood friend Christian Miranda. Despite the injury, which has been described as serious and painful, the five-time Olympic gold medallist has persevered in his role as a broadcaster for the swim trials, navigating the Brisbane Aquatic Centre with the aid of a wheelchair.</p> <p>7NEWS chief reporter Chris Reason provided an update on Thorpe's condition, assuring fans that "Ian Thorpe is completely OK, but apparently the injury was a serious and painful one."</p> <p>Thorpe's commitment to his broadcasting duties, despite his injury, has been noted by many at the event. His presence at the trials has been a source of inspiration for many young athletes competing in Brisbane.</p> <p>Thorpe's injury has not dampened the spirit of the Olympic trials, and his resilience continues to inspire. Fans and fellow athletes alike are wishing him a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back on his feet soon.</p> <p><em>Image: 7NEWS</em></p>

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Lidia Thorpe injured in car accident

<p>Former Greens senator Lidia Thorpe has been involved in a car accident in Melbourne and is expected to be absent from parliament for a week after suffering injuries.</p> <p>The incident occurred late last week, and Thorpe was sitting in her car when it was rear-ended by another vehicle, allegedly causing her to suffer whiplash and bruising.</p> <p>Thorpe was told by her doctor that she could not travel to Canberra for at least a week following the midwinter break.</p> <p>At the time of writing, her media team were yet to make an official statement about the accident but they have confirmed the details of the crash.</p> <p>They revealed that the car was stationary when it was rear-ended and have confirmed that Thorpe is expected to return to parliamentary duties next week.</p> <p>Thorpe has been gaining attention recently due to her outspoken <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/lidia-thorpe-and-pauline-hanson-team-up-for-voice-to-parliament-no-campaign" target="_blank" rel="noopener">opposition to the Voice to Parliament</a>.</p> <p>The incident comes just two weeks after the former Greens senator told <em>The Project</em> about her safety concerns, and that as she is currently under “formal protection” after receiving death threats and abuse.</p> <p>“I’m an outspoken person and I am a target at the same time,” she said.</p> <p>“There are a lot of people out there that don’t want me in that role or in this role … that don’t want me in parliament, that don’t want me alive.</p> <p>“I’ve felt very unsafe over the last few weeks.”</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

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Lidia Thorpe and Pauline Hanson team up for Voice to Parliament "no" campaign

<p>Lidia Thorpe and Pauline Hanson have been forced to team up with other supporters of the "no" campaign for the Voice to Parliament vote, as they unite to construct an essay outlining their views. </p> <p>The Greens senator and One Nation senator, along with other members of the Coalition, will have to navigate an obscure process to write a pamphlet which will be sent to all homes for the referendum. </p> <p>The Australian Electoral Commission is seeking advice from all politicians to give guidance on the essays for the pamphlet, but tensions are already rising as senators have to decide among themselves how to navigate competing ideas and write one argument for each side.</p> <p>A short 28-day deadline has already began for the essays, with the writings for each side of the campaign having to present their main argument behind their "yes" or "no" vote in less than 2000 words. </p> <p>The essays for both sides will then be compiled by the AEC into an information pamphlet, which will be sent out in the months before the referendum. </p> <p>The committee of those voting no will be dominated by the Coalition, but also includes One Nation, UAP’s Ralph Babet, and former Greens senator Thorpe.</p> <p>The yes side is dominated by Labor but also includes the Greens, the “teal” independents, David Pocock, and the Jacqui Lambie Network, as well as some Liberals.</p> <p>Hanson’s office said she would “fight tooth and nail” for input into the pamphlet, noting One Nation was the first party in parliament to officially oppose the referendum.</p> <p>Thorpe’s office also told Guardian Australia she would seek to contribute to the no essay.</p> <p>Resolving the views of Thorpe and Hanson, at polar extremes of the voice debate, into one essay is set to be a major challenge for the no committee, with the two senators having to agree on their views over the vote before it can be signed off on. </p> <p>Albanese said the pamphlet would be “one thing that [voters] consider” but also pointed to the government’s referendum education campaigns, saying some Australians didn’t know much about the constitution, and education over the matter was key before Aussies cast their vote later this year. </p> <p>Yes23 campaign director Dean Parkin said that the continued education over the Voice to Parliament vote, such as the information pamphlet presenting both sides, will help Aussies make an informed decision. </p> <p>“This referendum is about uniting and bringing all Australians together, and that’s where our efforts will be focused over the coming months. We have a lot of faith in the decency of Australian people, and we know they want outcomes to be better for us, and want to see practical change. The voice is the means for us to do that.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

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“He threw me under the bus”: Lidia Thorpe responds to Dad’s interview

<p>Senator Lidia Thorpe has accused her father of throwing her “under the bus” following his <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/lidia-thorpe-s-dad-calls-her-racist-in-extraordinary-interview" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TV interview</a>, where he claimed she was “very racist against white people”.</p> <p>Speaking to activist Tom Tanuki in an interview on Youtube, Ms Thorpe covered many of her recent controversies.</p> <p>“When I pay attention to the things you say, I am never left in any doubt as to exactly what your politics are. I always get an extremely firm sense of your perspective,” Mr Tanuki told the senator, who left the Greens in February 2023 following disagreements on the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament.</p> <p>“Your actions, even protest actions, marry up with your words. More than most politicians, let’s face it. You are ostensibly bulls*** free, in that you mean what you say and you will take actions to show that you mean it.”</p> <p>“And that’s always got me into trouble,” Ms Thorpe explained.</p> <p>“Because I’m a straight shooter, straight talker, I’ve got nothing to hide, and people struggle with that. And they want me to conform to what? What do you want me to be like? Do you want me to be like Pauline Hanson, do you want me to be like Jacinta Price? You know, what’s a good model politician that you want me to be like?</p> <p>“Obviously being myself is hard for people to understand. I’m a good person. I have a beautiful relationship, I have beautiful children. And my dad’s been texting me all morning, telling me he loves me, even though he threw me under the bus on Andrew Bolt.</p> <p>“So, you know, we all have our own lives and our own complications, but I’m a loving person, and I’m genuinely wanting to bring this country together. Working class conservatives and the left, on a journey towards peace and healing.”</p> <p>Roy Illingworth, Ms Thorpe’s father, took aim at her when speaking to <em>Sky News Australia</em> host Andrew Bolt, explaining he was “disappointed” by her abandoning her English and Irish heritage.</p> <p>“The way I see it, the way she is and the way she's changed over the years, she's a very racist person against white people," he said.</p> <p>“She doesn’t acknowledge any of her white side. I’m a bit disappointed in the way she’s been carrying on lately.</p> <p>“Because after all, she does have English background as well as Irish, the convict side.</p> <p>“She’s never, ever mentioned me in her speeches, never mentioned anything about a white father, which disappointed me a little bit.”</p> <p>Mr Illingowrth revealed he had fallen out with his daughter and had no contact with her children, although she did still call him for his birthday and Father’s Day.</p> <p>“She’s said a lot of bad and evil things to me over the years,” he said.</p> <p>“We still love each other and, at the end of the day, she’s still my daughter.”</p> <p>He claimed Ms Thorpe became politicised in her late teens and “turned racist”, though he did acknowledge her as a “strong woman”.</p> <p>Ms Thorpe has been at the front of several controversies, with the most recent being an intense altercation with a group of men outside a Melbourne strip club at 3am.</p> <p>The footage that emerged from the incident captured Ms Thorpe taunting the group of men, one of whom called her a racist dog, and saying another had a “small penis”.’</p> <p>She claimed she did not instigate the exchange and was just responding to harassment.</p> <p>Ms Thorpe gave further insight into the altercation with Mr Tanuki.</p> <p>“When I said that person had a little d**k, it was for the reason that you waited for us to walk out of the door and then, you had all your mates around you, and then you had a go at me,” she said.</p> <p>“I mean, don’t call yourself a man or a bigshot standing outside the door if you can basically wait and plan to have a go at a black senator who was spending money in the club, but also having some really beautiful conversations and yarns.</p> <p>“What has been portrayed is blatantly wrong, and it’s also exemplary of how this country deals with people like me, whether I’m a senator or not. I’m a black woman, and look at how black women are treated in this country.”</p> <p>Mr Tanuki later asked her why she thought the “Australian political media establishment” was “so concerned with policing your rudeness?”</p> <p>“I think different elements of the political spectrum have different reasons,” she responded.</p> <p>“If you look at the right-wing media, they’re scared. They’re becoming the minority, and they’ve not had to deal with truth in the way that’s being put in their face every day.</p> <p>“In terms of the progressives, they’ve all got their hands on their heart and they’re feeling really good about the voice, it appeases their white guilt, makes them feel like they’ve done something for us.</p> <p>“Even though they won’t pay the rent, or force the government to stop deaths in custody, or stop child removal, or give us our rights.”</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p>

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Lidia Thorpe's dad calls her "racist" in extraordinary interview

<p>Lidia Thorpe’s father, Roy Illingworth, has used his appearance on <em>The Bolt Report </em>to share his take on the independent senator’s political stance. </p> <p>Speaking to Andrew Bolt, Illingworth confessed that he feels “disappointed” in his daughter, going so far as to state his controversial belief that he is “a very racist person”. </p> <p>“The way I see it, the way she is and the way she’s changed over the years, she’s a very racist person against white people,” Illingworth declared on the Sky News show. </p> <p>“She doesn’t acknowledge any of her white side. I’m a bit disappointed in the way she’s been carrying on lately.</p> <p>“Because after all, she does have [an] English background - as well as Irish, the convict side.</p> <p>“She’s never, ever mentioned me in her speeches; never mentioned anything about a white father, which disappointed me a little bit.”</p> <p>Illingworth went on to explain that their relationship had come with some tension for a while, though the two do keep in touch on important holidays, such as Father’s Day and birthdays. However, according to Illingworth, he has no contact with his grandchildren. </p> <p>He made the claim that Thorpe has “said a lot of bad and evil things”, but that the two still have love in their hearts for each other, as “at the end of the day, she’s still my daughter.”</p> <p>It was a point that Sky News’ Chris Kenny later took note of, sharing his opinion that no father should “publicly shame” their own child like that, after Illingworth made further claims - and even rejected some of Thorpe’s - about the senator’s upbringing. </p> <p>“I don’t take back any of my criticism of Lidia Thorpe, she’s a public figure, and she’s got to be accountable, and my job is to try to ensure that politicians and others in the public field are held to account,” Kenny said.</p> <p>“But if she needs help, or support, or wise counsel - or just a bit of moral support and a shoulder to cry on - well then, the people she should be able to rely on most of all are her family.</p> <p>“Roy Illingworth should be reaching out to his daughter. This father, he really should be seeing if he could do something to help his daughter.”</p> <p>Illingworth’s comments saw him attempt to silence Thorpe’s claims that she had always faced oppression, as he told Andrew Bolt, “she was really spoilt. She never went without anything growing up. She got everything she wanted and she knows that.”</p> <p>He made a point to note his belief that she “turned racist” as she entered the political world, and that she first showed an interest in that around 16.</p> <p>However, when it came to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s opinion that the senator needs “some support”, that her “behaviour is quite clearly unacceptable”, and that “there are obvious issues that need to be dealt with, in terms of her health issues”, Illingworth was not in agreement. </p> <p>“She’s just a strong woman,” he said. “That’s the way she’s always been.”</p> <p>The ‘behaviour’ in question was in regards to a strip club incident between Thorpe and some men, in which she had been recorded yelling at them, before receiving a life ban from the establishment. </p> <p>Thorpe dubbed Albanese’s take as a “continuation of racist and misogynistic” narratives, explaining that “saying I need some ‘mental help’ is a continuation of the old racist and misogynistic narrative used to discredit and silence outspoken and strong women, particularly Blak women.”</p> <p>And, in reference to those same comments - even before her own father had made his very public statement - she reflected that there is a “history of white men in power using the media to attack and demonise Blak people that stand up to racism.</p> <p>“Saying I need some ‘mental help’ is a continuation of the old racist and misogynistic narrative used to discredit and silence outspoken and strong women, particularly Blak women … While the Prime Minister and others have used this to try and undermine my progress, I have been busy out in [the] community talking to First Nations leaders about solutions to the problems our people face everyday.”</p> <p><em>Images: Sky News</em></p>

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"No-one is above the law": Pauline Hanson weighs in on wild Lidia Thorpe CCTV footage

<p dir="ltr">Pauline Hanson has urged police to investigate the moment Greens senator Lidia Thorpe lost control outside a strip club in Melbourne last weekend.</p> <p dir="ltr">Senator Thorpe was captured on CCTV as she became embroiled in a verbally abusive argument with a stranger in the early hours of the morning as she filmed bystanders from the door of a taxi.</p> <p dir="ltr">The One Nation senator said she wants Victoria Police to investigate the matter to see if Senator Thorpe broke the law during her tirade.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I think Victoria police should be carefully examining that footage to determine if Senator Thorpe has broken the law,” Senator Hanson said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The Australian Human Rights Commission might also consider examining the footage for possible breaches of Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. I think the people subjected to her abuse on the weekend should come forward and see that she is held accountable, because the Senate has shown it’s too gutless to do so.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“No one – least of all an elected representative of the people – is above the law.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Hanson went on to say that Ms Thorpe was not an appropriate representative for Victorians.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Many Victorians would be asking if Senator Thorpe had any intentions of fairly representing them in Canberra given her obvious contempt for parliament and for those Australians who do not share her Aboriginal heritage, and even her contempt for those who do share Aboriginal her heritage but not her views,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“That contempt is on full display in this footage and has been during incidents in which she has verbally attacked Aboriginal elders, or protested at public events, and even when she has spoken on the floor of the Senate.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Hey Melbourne, Australia: <br />How did someone like Lidia Thorpe get into parliament? 🧐 <a href="https://t.co/w8VT9tCbjF">pic.twitter.com/w8VT9tCbjF</a></p> <p>— Meanwhile in Melbourne (@meanwhileinau) <a href="https://twitter.com/meanwhileinau/status/1647536448734904321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The incident, which occurred outside a strip club at 3 am and was captured in its entirety on CCTV, clearly shows Senator Thorpe circling a group of men waiting outside the club before pointing her finger at them and shouting about the size of their genitalia.</p> <p dir="ltr">In the confrontation, Senator Thorpe can also be seen walking up to a man with his back to the wall of Maxine’s Gentleman’s Club before shouting abuse.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Thorpe has now been banned for life from the Brunswick strip club, as manager David Ross told news.com.au that he had now formally banned the politician in a letter that was sent to her office.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

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Nation split over Lidia Thorpe’s Mardi Gras protest

<p>Australians everywhere, from TV personalities to politicians and the public, have seized the opportunity to weigh in on Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe’s decision to temporarily halt Sydney’s 2023 Mardi Gras parade. </p> <p>Thorpe, who parted ways with the Greens party early in February, was - in her own words - protesting for “#NoPrideInGenocide, #NoPrideInPrisons, and #NoCopsInPride” when her actions caught the attention of the gathered crowds, with footage uploaded to social media showing her on her back in front of a parade float. </p> <p>In the clip, NSW police officers can be seen addressing Thorpe, and eventually she was moved on. Reports have stated that earlier, she could be seen walking backwards in front of an Australian Federal Police officer while waving a small rainbow flag. </p> <p>A statement from NSW Police claimed she was removed “at the request of organisers for breaching the terms of her participation”. They have since confirmed that the senator was not arrested and will not be charged over the incident. </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Lidia Thorpe gonna Lidia Thorpe. <a href="https://t.co/879xXgA4LX">pic.twitter.com/879xXgA4LX</a></p> <p>— Rita Panahi (@RitaPanahi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RitaPanahi/status/1629673736273293312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>As with all acts deemed controversial by social media, the video blew up, and the story reached the eyes and ears of people all across the country. </p> <p>Thorpe attempted to get ahead of the discussion and set the record straight, tweeting that she was proud to have joined the Pride in Protest with their No Pride in Genocide float, as “Black and brown trans women started the first pride march as a protest against police violence. Today, we still face violence from [the] police.” </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Black and brown trans women started the first pride march as a protest against police violence. Today, we still face violence from police. Proud to have joined the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PrideInProtest?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PrideInProtest</a> float in Sydney to say <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NoPrideInGenocide?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NoPrideInGenocide</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NoPrideInPrisons?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NoPrideInPrisons</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NoCopsInPride?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NoCopsInPride</a></p> <p>— Senator Lidia Thorpe (@SenatorThorpe) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenatorThorpe/status/1629609463396302848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>When Thorpe’s attendance was first announced, No Pride in Genocide’s spokesperson Mikhael Burnard stated that “the oppression of queer people and the oppression of Indigenous people and refugees are one and the same fight.”</p> <p>And while many raced to Lidia’s comment section to declare her a “legend” for their movement, just as many have been loud about their distaste for the senator’s actions. </p> <p>“Lidia Thorpe did the queerest thing out of anyone at that co-opted, corporatised, pinkwashed excuse for a Pride march, &amp; it aligns with the sentiments/needs of the most vulnerable members of the LGBTIQA+ community - &amp; marginalised communities at large,” wrote one supporter. </p> <p>“God it's funny how people don't understand that the entire point of protest is to be disruptive,” tweeted another, “that's why it's effective. Lidia Thorpe could write a polite letter to the king of the police that will do nothing, or she can actually centre cops at pride as part of the conversation.”</p> <p>“Rusted on supporters of Lidia Thorpe who said yesterday it was ‘important context’ that she stopped a ‘police float’ now say it doesn't matter which float she stopped after learning last night it was a float for youth mental health services,” wrote a critic. </p> <p>And now, radio’s Ben Fordham and NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet have seen fit to offer their opinion. Notably, neither figure was in attendance at the Mardi Gras celebration, although <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/anthony-albanese-makes-history-at-mardi-gras" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made history</a> with his march in support of Australia’s thriving LGBTQIA+ community. </p> <p><em>2GB</em>’s Ben Fordham labelled Lidia a “rogue”, calling her protest “a whole new low.” </p> <p>“Once again she has proven she is unfit for public office,” Ben, who has never held a position in office himself, went on, “that’s the reality.”</p> <p>The debate over having police officers at Pride events has been around for a long time, and many came to Lidia’s defence citing the history of police repression with the LGBTQIA+ community - including but not limited to police brutality towards organisers, advocates, and participants alike. </p> <p>In New South Wales, where Mardi Gras was held this year with WorldPride, the failure of authorities to investigate murders of a homophobic nature across three decades is never far from the minds of many. Ben, however, had his own take on the matter. </p> <p>“Even though you’ve got police officers who for decades now have been part of the Mardi Gras trying to send a message to the gay and lesbian community that they’re on their side,” he said, “Lidia Thorpe doesn’t want them there.”</p> <p>“It’s just typical Lidia Thorpe. It’s a disgrace,” Premier Dominic Perrottet agreed. </p> <p>“As a society, we need to respect different views and not just tolerate it, but celebrate different perspectives,” Perrottet went on as he continued to condemn Thorpe’s standpoint, “and what we see from Lidia Thorpe and the Greens is this negativity and worse than that, this divisive nature of their politics.”</p> <p><em>Images: Twitter</em></p>

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Ian Thorpe gets his Olympic report card

<p>Ian Thorpe has proven he doesn’t need to be in the pool at the Olympics to be a star.</p> <p>Twenty-one years after first winning gold at the Sydney Olympic Games, Thorpe has given his expert commentary for Channel 7 during the Tokyo games – and fans are absolutely loving it.</p> <p>From winning gold medals to predicting the future, Ian Thorpe has proved he can do it all at the Olympics.</p> <p>Twenty-one years after first winning gold at the Sydney Games, Thorpedo is playing a starring role in Tokyo – but in a very different capacity.</p> <p>The Australian swimming legend is giving his expert analysis for Channel 7.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="../media/7842727/ian-thorpe-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/60b14eeb144d4ffcb3369202de846398" /></p> <p><em>Thorpe always believed Titmus was going to bring it home late. Image: Supplied. </em></p> <p>Through the swimming legend’s insight, he predicted what Katie Ledecky’s final time would be and got within a second of the stopwatch.</p> <p>Thorpe went at it again during Aussie superstar Ariarne Titmus’ second blockbuster showdown of the Games with Ledecky in the 200m freestyle final on Tuesday.</p> <p>“I think Ariarne has Ledecky covered in this race,” Thorpe said.</p> <p>“She can transition a lot better into different speeds. So she’ll build up her speed, whereas Katie Ledecky seems to get stuck in one gear.</p> <p>“She has a consistency that comes with that speed, but she can’t increase it in any way — it doesn’t develop.</p> <p>“Whereas when you saw Ariarne come over the top of Ledecky in the 400m freestyle final, she was gradually increasing that speed and there was a 0.4 second difference in their last 50m.”</p> <p>Thorpe was right again, proving his expertise is on point.</p> <p>Ledecky went hard and Titmus was trailing the whole way up until the final lap.</p> <p>The 20-year-old from Tasmania eventually overtook her biggest rival in the final 25m to win gold medal No. 2.</p> <p>Thorpe took time to point out Titmus’ turning ability, and said she was accelerating into the wall and springing off of it better than Ledecky was.</p> <p>The Aussie finally took the lead for the first time at the final turn.</p> <p>His fellow Channel 7 commentator Leisel Jones, who has competed in four Olympics, praised Thorpe when Japan’s Ohashi Yui won the 200m women’s individual medley.</p> <p>“I’m going to say Thorpey called that before we started,” Jones said during Seven’s broadcast.</p> <p>“He said, ‘Watch for Ohashi Yui to go for the double’.”</p> <p>“After seeing that 400 IM, this was the clear frontrunner in this race,” Thorpe said when explaining why he tipped Ohashi to win again.</p> <p>Aussie watchers have praised the Olympic swimmer for his brilliant commentary, with one saying: “He is amazing, I love listening to him.</p> <p>Another wrote: “Ian Thorpe owns commentary. He regularly calls the winner 50m out.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Love <a href="https://twitter.com/IanThorpe?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IanThorpe</a> commentary for the swimming.</p> <p>— Eric (@bananman1234) <a href="https://twitter.com/bananman1234/status/1420593762816847872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 29, 2021</a></p></blockquote> <p>A third person added: “How wonderful Ian Thorpe’s commentary. He is so informative, speaks so calmly.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">And how wonderful is Ian Thorpe’s commentary.He is so informative,speaks so calmly.Great👏</p> <p>— Lynette (@lynettekc) <a href="https://twitter.com/lynettekc/status/1420566887612616704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 29, 2021</a></p></blockquote> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/lynettekc/status/1420566887612616704?s=21" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://twitter.com/lynettekc/status/1420566887612616704?s=21</a></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Ian Thorpe is the Ricky Ponting of swimming commentary.</p> <p>— justin1flynn 🐯🏆🏆🏆 (@justin1flynn) <a href="https://twitter.com/justin1flynn/status/1420558861140852741?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 29, 2021</a></p></blockquote> <p><em>Image: Neal Simpson/EMPICS via Getty Images<span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;"> </span></em></p>

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"You want a minute’s silence from me?" Lidia Thorpe speaks out on Queen's passing

<p dir="ltr">Indigenous Greens senator Lidia Thorpe has accused the British Royal Family of genocide in the wake of the Queen’s death.</p> <p dir="ltr">Queen Elizabeth II was under medical supervision due to her deteriorating health before she passed away on September 8.</p> <p dir="ltr">The death of the longest reigning monarch has seen many instances of the traditional "minute of silence" observed in Australia and around the world – at sporting events, in Parliament and in many other settings.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, Ms Thorpe said that she refused to give a minute's silence to the late Queen, who she says is part of the family who “declared a war on these shores”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Djab Wurrung, Gunnai and Gunditjmara senator wrote an opinion piece for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/sep/14/dont-ask-me-to-give-the-queen-a-minutes-silence-ask-me-for-my-truth-about-british-colonialism?fbclid=IwAR3P1sJO7LFcnsDA2D_eOJ3zycCt_fJPUKRElZgwfM7blwh6Wc8XiEqXVPc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Guardian</a> and shared it to Facebook with the caption: “They buried our kids in the sand and kicked off their heads, and you want me to pay my respects? This isn’t about an individual, it’s about the institution she represents and the genocide that they’re responsible for”.</p> <p dir="ltr">She first revealed that the news of the Queen’s death broke at the same time of her cousin’s funeral who had died in custody.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The institutions that British colonisation brought here, from the education that erases us to the prisons that kill us, are designed to destroy the oldest living culture in the world,” she wrote in the opinion piece.</p> <p dir="ltr">“That’s the legacy of the crown in this country.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The ‘British empire’ declared a war on these shores, against this country’s First Nations peoples. This led to massacres. And you want a minute’s silence from me?</p> <p dir="ltr">“Their war continues and is still felt today – on our children, our men, our land, our water, the air we breathe. Yet we’re meant to kneel to the colonising force with our hands on our hearts?”</p> <p dir="ltr">She went on to call Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s decision to mark September 22 as a “National Day of Mourning for Her Majesty The Queen” as insulting.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Thorpe slammed the announcement saying that First Nations people have called for January 26 to be acknowledged as a Day of Mourning since 1938.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We called for a Day of Mourning so that this country could understand how we’re still affected by colonisation today,” she continued.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We’re not grieving a singular human life, we’re reeling from the violence that is the legacy of the monarchy.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Who gave permission for our flag to be lowered to half-mast? That power has been taken away from us, again.”</p> <p dir="ltr">She went on to say that Australia doesn’t need a king but instead needed a “head of state” elected by the people.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The Queen is dead. I’ve had some days to reflect, and know that people wanted me to come out ranting and raving to confirm their views of me as a crazy Blak woman. In the days since, I’ve seen anger and disbelief from First Nations people at the glorification of our oppressor,’’ she said on Monday night.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This Country has a new King. The parliament and the Prime Minister are subjugated to someone we didn’t elect. We don’t need a new King, we need a head of state chosen by the people.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The process towards being able to pick our own head of state would bring us all together – it would force us to tell the truth about our history and move us towards real action to right the wrongs that started with colonisation.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We could use this moment and momentum to empower people to democratically elect our own leader. Someone who represents all of us, uniting a country that has owned up to its past and chosen its own future. That unity would be more powerful than any King.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The comment section of Ms Thorpe’s post showed a lot of support for the Indigenous senator with many praising her stance.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This is a shameful country. Shameful leaders who choose to ignore the atrocities from the past and present. Thank you Senator for your strength in standing up!!” someone wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You are amazing. I'd rather look to you as a queen than that archaic system that traumatised first nations people all over the world,” another commented.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s so great hearing your voice and indigenous voices loudly in parliament. You’re doing an amazing job. You are making a massive difference. Full respect,” another read.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Facebook</em></p>

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