The Australian Federal Police say they have launched an investigation into whether comments made by Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe at a pro-Palestine rally on Sunday breached federal legislation.
Speaking at the rally in Naarm, the Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung Senator compared the Palestinian struggle to that of Indigenous Australians, saying she stood in solidarity because "we know what it's like to have a boot on our neck every moment that we are alive".
She told the crowd she would continue to fight for marginalised people, saying: "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 … I am not there to make friends."
Whilst the comments were undoubtedly metaphorical, they quickly drew condemnation from the opposition and One Nation MPs.
On Monday, the AFP confirmed it had opened an investigation into whether the remarks breached any laws.
"The AFP's National Security Investigations team in Victoria began investigating almost immediately into whether the comments breach 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."
The AFP did not specify which legislation may have been breached.
In a statement on Monday, Senator Thorpe — who has been outspoken in her defence of the Palestinian people, as well as comparing their plight to those of First Nations people in Australia – downplayed her comments, calling them "clearly a figure of speech" and noting they were a "metaphor for the pain in our communities and the urgent need to end genocide in Palestine and everywhere".
"They were obviously not a literal threat. 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 instead of focusing on what really matters. This is just another political game designed to distract from the real issues," she said.
"I have always rejected violence. Any suggestion otherwise misrepresents my longstanding commitment to pursuing justice and self-determination for First Peoples and all oppressed peoples through peaceful, democratic means."
Liberal Senator Michaelia Cash, an ardent supporter of Israel, called the comments "disgraceful and shocking but unfortunately unsurprising," and said the opposition would explore "options available to the Senate to hold Senator Thorpe accountable", including a potential censure motion or referral to the privileges committee.
Other Coalition MPs, including Maria Kovacic and David Littleproud, also criticised Senator Thorpe's remarks, with Mr Littleproud saying Parliament must "make sure a strong message is sent to Lidia Thorpe and any other fringe dweller who wants to destroy our democracy".
The controversy follows a series of uneven parliamentary responses to conduct.
Last month, Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price was not sanctioned after falsely accusing Labor of "importing Indian migrants" to influence votes, while MP Bob Katter faced no penalty for threatening a journalist. In contrast, Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi was sanctioned in July for holding a sign supporting Gaza during the Governor-General's address.
Sunday's nationwide rallies marked two years since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks in Israel that killed around 1,200 people. The subsequent Israeli military campaign in Gaza has killed at least 67,000 Palestinians - with the total toll possibly much higher - most of them women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.
International human rights experts — including the UN Human Rights Council — have described Israel's actions as genocide, with famine declared in Gaza City and widespread displacement continuing.
At time of publishing, Israel is expected to release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners — including 250 jailed before October 7 and around 1,700 detained since — in exchange for 20 remaining hostages taken by Hamas.
