Lidia Thorpe has resigned as Greens’ deputy leader in the Senate, following reports that she did not disclose a past relationship with a former bikie boss while serving on a law enforcement committee.
The ABC published a report on Thursday that revealed Thorpe had not disclosed her past relationship with ex-president of the Rebels, Dean Martin, while sitting on a parliamentary law enforcement committee.
The Greens leader, Adam Bandt, spoke to the media on Thursday afternoon, announcing that he had asked Thorpe to resign from her position as the party’s deputy Senate leader. He said he would have expected her to exercise better judgement.
“The media raised with me matters pertaining to Senator Thorpe which I was not aware until the media raised them,” Bandt said.
“I have since looked into those matters. I have asked Senator Thorpe for her resignation as deputy leader in the Senate and I have received a resignation.
“As a leader I expect my senators and MPs, especially those in leadership positions, to exercise good judgment. At a minimum, Senator Thorpe needed to disclose to meet her connection to Mr Martin and her failure to do so showed a significant lack of judgment. Senator Thorpe says she understands this, so I now expect her to demonstrate better judgment going forward and in exercising her continuing portfolio responsibilities.
“I note also that Senator Thorpe has not held the justice portfolio since the election. Senator Thorpe has important work to do on First Nations justice including on progressing truth, treaty and voice and I want her to be able to do that work.”
Thorpe also issued a statement confirming she had agreed to resign.
“I accept that I have made mistakes and have not exercised good judgment,” she said.
“I will now reflect on this and focus on my important portfolio work, especially advocating for First Nations people.”
Thorpe told the ABC she had briefly dated Martin in early 2021, and that the pair remain friends.
Martin has no criminal convictions, but has been associated with the Rebels for more than 25 years.