Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe has been cleared by the Australian Federal Police over comments she made at a Palestine solidarity rally in October.
Speaking at the rally in Naarm, the Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung Senator drew parallels between the Palestinian struggle and 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, adding: "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."
The remarks were criticised by Coalition and One Nation MPs, prompting the AFP to launch an investigation.
Sources familiar with the matter told National Indigenous Times on Monday that the AFP made no findings in relation to the Senator's comments.
An Australian Federal Police spokesperson told this publication the AFP had "finalised the investigation into comments made regarding the Australian Parliament House during a speech at a protest in Victoria".
"The AFP began investigating the matter on 13 October, 2025 after receiving numerous AFP Reports of Crime. Following an investigation, the AFP has concluded there is insufficient evidence of a criminal offence," they said.
"The matter has now been finalised and no further action will be taken."
Senator Thorpe has defended her remarks, describing them as "clearly a figure of speech" and 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," she said at the time.
"This is just another political game designed to distract from the real issues."
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At the time, the AFP confirmed it had opened an investigation into whether the comments 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 told National Indigenous Times.
"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 agency did not specify which legislation may have been breached.
