Federal police investigate Lidia Thorpe over ‘threat’ to ‘burn down Parliament House’

The federal police are investigating independent senator Lidia Thorpe over comments she made at a pro-Palestine rally on Sunday. The senator compared the plight of Palestinians to First Nations Australians, saying: “So 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”. Ms Thorpe said on Monday the comments were metaphorical. The Australian Federal Police however are now investigating the senator’s rhetoric. “The AFP’s National Security Investigations team in Victoria began investigating almost immediately into whether the comments breach legislation. This will be done methodically,” a spokesperson said. It is not known which legislation may have been breached. “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. “Further comment will be made at an appropriate time.” One Nation senator Pauline Hanson accused fellow her fellow Seante crossbencher of “treason” for threatening to “burn down Parliament House” in support of Palestinians. The comments made at a pro-Palestine rally in Melbourne on Sunday sparked widespread backlash, including from the opposition which has said it would “consider options” to reprimand the crossbencher. “Senator Thorpe’s inciteful remarks are both a threat to public order and community safety,” Ms Hanson said in a statement on Monday. “I would argue that they are an act of treason and terrorism that should be thoroughly investigated by the Federal Police.” Senator Hanson’s statement adds to the chorus of condemnation from across the political spectrum, which Senator Thorpe dismissed on Monday as “mock outrage”. “‘My rally remarks were clearly a figure of speech – a metaphor for the pain in our communities and the urgent need to end genocide in Palestine and everywhere,” she said in a statement. Labor has condemned independent senator Lidia Thorpe's threat to "burn down Parliament House". “They were obviously not a literal threat. This mock outrage is ridiculous.” Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek called Senator Thorpe’s words “absolutely irresponsible” as the world watches a ceasefire play out in Gaza. “We just don’t want give it extra air,” Ms Plibersek told Seven’s Sunrise. Fellow cabinet minister Amanda Rishworth also slammed the comments, saying they were “clearly inappropriate”. “People have the right to protest, but it must be done in a respectful way and of course, any comments that inflame violence and hatred are inappropriate,” she told Nine’s Today. “I think if fighting can stop in the Middle East, we need to make sure that we are turning the temperature down here at home. “And of course, people want to see the end of the violence and they don’t want to see tensions brought here into Australia.” While addressing the rally in Melbourne on Sunday, Senator Thorpe compared the plight of Palestinians to that of Indigenous Australians. “So 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,” she told the crowd. She was met with roaring cheers of support from onlookers. Appearing opposite Ms Rishworth on Monday, Deputy Opposition Leader Ted O’Brien said it was “a time for hope and peace and not for hatred protest”, referencing Hamas’ imminent release of all remaining Israeli hostages taken in the October 7 attacks in 2023. “Unfortunately, we’re seeing the latter,” Mr O’Brien said. “These protests go against our values, which should be uniting Australians right now. “They are completely inappropriate and they should be called out as such.” Liberal senator Jane Hume went further, accusing Labor of not calling out Senator Thorpe. “They treat her like some crazy relative at a Christmas party rather than taking the threats seriously – rather than taking her disrespect for the institution of the Senate and indeed the parliament seriously,” Senator Hume told Sky News. “Now, the Coalition will consider its response, but to be honest, there’s more than 2000 people that work in Parliament House every day, and they have a right to feel safe in their workplace.”