Senator Lidia Thorpe applies for suppression order after ‘online abuse’

Senator Lidia Thorpe — who was allegedly assaulted after the Dreamtime match at the MCG in May — has applied for a suppression order after receiving a barrage of online abuse.

Lidia Thorpe’s legal team applied for a suppression order in the case where she was allegedly assaulted Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Senator Lidia Thorpe says she has been receiving online abuse after it was revealed was allegedly assaulted at the footy, bringing in a lawyer to fight for a gag order in her case against her accused attacker.

Yorta Yorta and Gunditjmara woman Ebony Bell, 28, appeared via video link at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday, facing assault charges over an alleged incident with Ms Thorpe after the Dreamtime AFL match between Richmond and Essendon in May.

Ebony Bell is accused of assaulting Lidia Thorpe outside the MCG in May

But in the brief mention — where no details of the alleged attack were aired, other than setting a contest mention date — a lawyer representing Ms Thorpe applied for a suppression order due to abuse she received online after the alleged incident was made public.

Ms Bell’s lawyer Emanuele Nicolosi responded that the “horse had bolted” and that “not a lot more has come out today that we say prejudices the alleged victim”.

Lidia Thorpe was allegedly attacked at the footy in May Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Magistrate David Starvaggi said the matter could be dealt with at contest mention next year, with there being “no compelling reasons” to issue an interim order until then.

Ms Bell previously submitted she had also received a barrage of online abuse and was granted approval to appear at Friday’s mention on video link.

The case will return to court for contest mention on February 19, 2025.