Senator Lidia Thorpe has called on the re-elected Albanese government to "stop making excuses" and start delivering for First Peoples and the broader community.
The Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung senator said the Coalition's "resounding loss" means Labor can no longer justify inaction on major issues by blaming the Opposition.
"Voters have resoundingly rejected the Coalition. Labor now has the power — and the responsibility — to deliver real change. No more excuses," she said on Monday.
Senator Thorpe said that for three years, "Labor claimed they couldn't act without Peter Dutton's support".
"That was always cowardly — and now it's completely untenable," she said.
The independent senator for Victoria said the Prime Minister has "spent too long letting himself be held captive by the Coalition and the Sky News rabble".
Senator Thorpe said Labor had avoided progressive reforms, such as Truth-Telling, reform to federal anti-discrimination laws, and urgent environmental reform, claiming the measures needed bipartisan support, despite Labor having a majority in the House and not needing Coalition support in the Senate to pass legislation.
"One of their most shameful capitulations was legislating mandatory minimum sentencing to appease Dutton — in direct violation of their own platform," she said.
"And they've been just as cowardly on Gaza — refusing to condemn Netanyahu's war crimes or end Australia's complicity in the genocide.
"Albanese now needs to grow a backbone and tackle the hard issues."
Senator Thorpe said Minister for Indigenous Australians Malardirri McCarthy must move beyond "meaningless platitudes".
"Under Labor, more of our people have been jailed. More of our children have been criminalised. More of our babies have been stolen. Labor has been widening the gap it so loudly proclaims to want to close.
"If the Minister wants to see real change, then we need strong national action. Set real standards. Lead by example. Hold the states accountable. Get serious."
Senator Thorpe noted that the ALP Member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymbgour, "has been out there calling for Labor to revisit Truth and Treaty, convene a national cabinet meeting on youth justice, empower Native Title holders to veto developments, and stop funnelling First Peoples' funding to white organisations".
"I have been calling for action in these areas for years — and am open to work with the government on progressing these issues. This can't just be pre-election talk to win mob votes. It's time to do the work," she said.
The senator identified her priorities for the next term of parliament:
- Ending Australia's complicity in genocide abroad while upholding human rights at home;
- A federal Human Rights Act;
- Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, including the right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent;
- Full implementation of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody and the Bringing Them Home Report recommendations;
- A real, funded commitment to Truth and Treaty;
- Ending the destruction of Country and water, including through PFAS chemicals and fossil fuels;
- Ensuring everyone has access to housing, food, clean water, education and healthcare;
- Setting standards on the states and territories around human rights abuses in the criminal legal system; justice reinvestment and therapeutic bail programs led by First Nations communities;
- Reform of racist, oppressive laws, including the Racial Discrimination Act;
- Adequate funding of Aboriginal legal and health services; and
- An inquiry into the Red Lines Package, to stop Australia's complicity in genocide abroad.
"This new Parliament must mark the end of excuses. We have a progressive Senate ready to get to work — if Labor has the guts," Senator Thorpe said.
"The fight continues. I'm here to raise the voices of our people, our survivors, and our movement. Labor should know — we're watching, and we won't be ignored."
