Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe accused of ‘legs shut’ gibe at Liberal colleague

The Liberal senator who was the target of a gibe from a Greens MP has described her comments as “beyond disgusting, beyond vile”.

EXCLUSIVE

The Liberal senator targeted in a brutal gibe from a Greens Senator has described the comments as “beyond disgusting, beyond vile”.

Lidia Thorpe has been accused of telling Hollie Hughes “at least I keep my legs shut” in parliament, an interjection that colleagues say left the woman in tears.

As a debate rages over parliamentary standards and the plight of women, the interjection, that was not caught by parliamentary microphones, stunned observers.

NSW Senator Hollie Hughes was reportedly left in tears by the incident, which occurred during a late night sitting of Parliament as Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe yelled at her across the chamber.

“I am still in a bit of shock,” Senator Hughes told Sky News.

She also claimed Senator Thorpe’s “legs shut” comment could have been in relation to her autistic son – despite the fact Senator Thorpe made no mention of her child whatsoever.

Senator Thorpe apologised to the Senate and unreservedly to Senator Hughes last night.

“I just want to unreservedly take back the comments that I made earlier when interjecting, and I apologise to that senator, Senator Hughes, wholeheartedly. That won’t happen again. So I apologise to the senator and also the Senate,” Senator Thorpe said.

Lidia Thorpe is the first Aboriginal woman MP and Greens member for Northcote.

NSW Senator Hollie Hughes was reportedly left in tears by the incident. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

Assistant Minister to the Attorney-General Amanda Stoker, a trained lawyer, told news.com.au that she heard clearly what was interjected.

“I can tell you what I heard with my own ears. She said, “At least I keep my legs shut,’’ Senator Stoker said.

“It has no place in public life, and frankly I don’t think it has a place in the wider Australian community,” Mr Falinski told radio host Ben Fordham.

Labor Tanya Plibersek said all MPs had a responsibility to improve standards.

“If it‘s true, I’m shocked, and I think it’s just inappropriate for anybody, it doesn’t matter who you are, to behave in that way in our federal parliament,” Ms Plibersek told Sky News.

“It‘s really important that all of us work to uplift the standards in our federal parliament. All of us, in every political party.”

In an interview with Sky News, Senator Hughes had little sympathy, however, for former Liberal staffer Rachelle Miller, who detailed her toxic relationship with Liberal frontbencher Alan Tudge as she called for better standards.

“What does (Ms Miller) want us to do? What does she want us to do?,” Senator Hughes said.

“There are a series of steps we are taking to provide a HR complaints mechanism for staff.

“But Minister Tudge has denied this version of events. So again, we are in ‘he said, she said.’”

Alan Tudge arrives at the 2017 Midwinter Ball in the company of Liberal staffer Rachelle Miller who he was having an affair with.

Another Liberal Senator Ben Small said he also heard the interjection clearly.

“Senator Thorpe just made the most outrageous statement directed at Senator Hughes, which you probably didn’t hear,’’ he told parliament shortly before 7:30pm on Wednesday.

“But in the scheme of disgusting statements made in this chamber that surely ranks at the top of them.”

Senator Amanda Stoker.

WA Senator Ben Small.

In response, Senator Thorpe then rose to her feet and retracted the comment, without explaining what she had said.

“I am happy to retract. I just got a view of something over there that disturbed me, but I’m happy to retract,’’ she said.

Speaking outside of parliament, Senator Small told news.com.au that he heard the remarks clearly.

“I did very clearly hear Senator Thorpe heckle ‘at least I kept my legs shut’,’’ he said.

“That’s when I leapt to my feet to raise a point of order.”

Last night, Senator Thorpe and her female colleagues Senator Sarah Hanson-Young and Senator Larissa Waters were not returning calls over the claims.

Ms Hughes told Sky News on Thursday that she thought the comment was a reference to her son, who has autism.

“I am dumbfounded that someone would say that,” she said.

In a statement on Thursday, Senator Thorpe said, “Last night I interjected in the Senate using inappropriate language. I regret doing that – and immediately retracted my comments and apologised unreservedly to the Senator.

“However, I thoroughly reject any suggestion that I directly or indirectly referenced Senator Hughes’ family.“

Earlier this week, a Victorian Senator, David Van issued an “unreserved apology” after he was accused of making growling dog noises at Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie on Tuesday.

But Mr Van denied he was making an animal noise.

Senator Jacqui Lambie.

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, who was visibly outraged, said she wasn’t sure who was responsible but “it happened”.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate given what has been handed down today to have growling and dog noises coming from this side of the chamber while a female member in this place is on her feet,” she said.

“It happened. I don’t know who is responsible for it, but it is inappropriate.

“And if we are going to change culture at the top, that means all of us.”

After he was contacted by news.com.au to ask if he had been barking while a female senator spoke, Senator Van rose in the chamber shortly after 5:30pm to apologise.

Liberal Senator David Van.

He told news.com.au that he denied making a dog noise, but conceded he had interjected while Ms Lambie was speaking and this was not appropriate.

“I was just interjecting with a gruff voice and I think with the mask and everything, in all the noise that was going on, it was that,’’ Mr Van said.

“It was in no way an animal noise or meant to be disrespectful to (her) in any sort of gendered way.”

Asked why he was interjecting he replied: “Just Jacqui being Jacqui.”

Originally published as Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe accused of ‘legs shut’ gibe at Liberal colleague