Lidia Thorpe vows to keep speaking out as AFP probes 'horrific' racist video

David Prestipino
David Prestipino Published October 6, 2023 at 3.15pm (AWST)

Independent senator Lidia Thorpe said 'horrific' public threats against her life will not deter her speaking out in the final nine days of the voice referendum campaign.

Senator Thorpe spoke with 6PR on Friday after releasing footage of a masked man threatening her, burning an Aboriginal flag and doing a Nazi salute.

Senator Thorpe's renewed determination followed public denouncement of the incident by Anthony Albanese, several of his ministers and Opposition leader Peter Dutton, who described the footage as 'unhinged' and 'horrific'.

Senator Thorpe appeared to blame the Prime Minister for the racist post.

"Anthony Albanese is the leader of this country. Does he have the power to ensure that senators and politicians are protected?" she said.

She claimed the Australian Federal Police, which confirmned it was investigating the video, was not interested in protecting her.

In a statement, the AFP said it did not disclose details on protection matters involving parliamentarians but said the agency was made aware of the video on Tuesday and immediately asked Twitter to remove it.

The footage posted shows a man in a balaclava claiming to be from neo-Nazi group Warriors for Convict Resistance, reading a statement endorsing "white Australia".

He then makes several racist remarks about First Nations people, before burning the Aboriginal flag and performing a Nazi salute.

Senator Thorpe, who wants treaty and substantial reforms on deaths in custody and other issues as a priority over the Voice, said the referendum had led to increased abuse against herself and others.

She said she has not been able to live at her own home for four months because of threatening and abusive correspondence, which is being increasingly levelled against politicians ahead of the vote next Saturday.

The federal police confirmed harassment, offensive and threatening communications against parliamentarians and electoral offices had increased, especially on social media.

"Threats of harm or violence against Australian high office holders are criminal offences and will be fully investigated by the AFP," a spokesperson told AAP.

Mr Albanese said the video was "quite horrific" and there was no place for such rhetoric in Australian politics, adding he had since spoken to Senator Thorpe and the AFP.

"I have unfortunately seen that video and, once you see it, you can't unsee it ... it is quite horrific," he told 10 News.

Senator Thorpe said she would not stop campaigning in coming days and was not deterred or afraid of scare tactics.

"You're gonna hear from me, and you're gonna see me, and I'm not scared," she told a press conference in Melbourne, surrounded by supporters holding Aboriginal flags.

"I'm gonna fight for exactly what I went into parliament for, and that is my country, my people."

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