Senator Thorpe accuses Anthony Albanese of wanting fascists to ‘get her’

Lidia Thorpe has accused Anthony Albanese of “wanting the f*cking fascists to get her” after a video emerged of neo-Nazis threatening the senator and burning the Indigenous flag.

Senator Lidia Thorpe has accused Anthony Albanese of “wanting the f*cking fascists to come out and get her”, after a “disgusting” video of a neo-Nazi threatening her and burning the Indigenous flag emerged.

“The Prime Minister knows exactly what he is doing,” she said.

“He wants the f – king fascists to come out and get me.

“That’s what he wants, because his violent force that he has sent to protect me can’t even protect me.

“Police are part of the problem in this country … I can’t rely on Victoria Police after they kill my people.”

One passer-by called out to Ms Thorpe in disagreement and said “not all of them (kill Indigenous people)”, to which she yelled “f – k off, you”.

Ms Thorpe said she had “been in exile for four months” and had not been “allowed” in her house.

“Four months I wasn’t allowed to be in my house because people are trying to kill me out there,” she said.

“I’m not hiding for the next nine days. You’re gonna hear from me, and you’re gonna see me and I’m not scared.

Senator Thorpe has accused Albanese of “wanting the f — king fascists to come out and get her”.

Ms Thorpe said she had “been in exile for four months” and had not been “allowed” in her house.

“I’m ready to fight for exactly what I went into parliament for and that is my country, my people.”

In response to rumours that neo-Nazis would attend Ms Thorpe’s media front, about 70 CFMEU tradies turned up to the Royal Exhibition Building to support her.

Most were donning union-branded clothes and the colours of the Aboriginal flag.

The offensive video sent to her by the neo-Nazi group showed a balaclava-clad man unleashing racist diatribe, reading from a statement on his phone by the group “Warriors for Convict Resistance”.

He concluded the video with more racist comments about First Nations people, then burned the flag and performed the Nazi salute.

It is the second time Ms Thorpe has been targeted by the white supremacist group, previously sending her a “violent and distressing video” in February 2022.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Senator Thorpe contacted him directly about the threatening video.

He said he responded to her at the first opportunity and spoke to the AFP.

“Senator Thorpe certainly responded to me that same day by thanking me for responding to her,” Mr Albanese said.

Mr Albanese said it was “quite horrific” that a self-declared neo-Nazi – by his words and actions – was out there “showing such disrespect”.

Mr Albanese said it was important that people were respectful during the debate about the referendum.

“I’ve seen the video that was referred to that is threatening towards Senator Thorpe and towards the government,” he said.

“The sort of Nazi rhetoric and statements that are in that video have no place in discourse in Australian political life.

“I will continue to conduct myself respectfully. I will continue to campaign for a yes vote in this referendum.”

Mr Albanese said it was important that people were respectful during the debate about the referendum. Picture: Lukas Coch

Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil said the video was “menacing and disgusting” and confirmed the Australian Federal Police had launched an investigation.

“We cannot live in a strong democracy like Australia for someone to be treated this way,” Ms O’Neil said.

“It is appalling, disgusting and the Australian government will be doing everything we can to support senator Lidia Thorpe through what must be an absolutely terrifying experience.”

Government Services Minister Bill Shorten excoriated the video as “gutless”.

“I think it‘s cowardly and disgusting. I don’t know what it is with these man-baby Nazis, wearing a hood so no one can see you,” Mr Shorten told the Today Show.

“The Aboriginal flag is a recognised flag, sending it (a video) and trying to pressure one of our senators and abuse them – I wish that bloke would take his hood off so people can see what kind of joker he is.”

An AFP spokeswoman said it became aware of the video on Tuesday after it was posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The police then got the video removed and the account that posted it was deactivated.

“The AFP takes seriously the protection of high office holders and parliamentarians and significantly invests in their safety,” the spokeswoman said.

“The AFP is investigating the matter and no further comment will be made at this stage.”

The spokeswoman said the AFP had world-leading capability, legislation and international partnerships to investigate incidents against parliamentarians.

Reports of harassment, nuisance, offensive and threatening communications against parliamentarians and electoral offices have increased over the past two years.

Penalties for threats of harm or violence include imprisonment and fines.

Originally published as Senator Thorpe accuses Anthony Albanese of wanting fascists to ‘get her’