Greens senator Lidia Thorpe to self-refer for investigation into ex-bikie relationship

Greens senator Lidia Thorpe has made a bold move after it was revealed she hadn’t disclosed her relationship with an ex-bikie.

Greens senator Lidia Thorpe will refer herself to the Senate privileges committee over her previously undisclosed relationship with ex-bikie Dean Martin.

NCA NewsWire understands Senator Thorpe will write to the Senate president on Monday to make the self-referral, which would allow the committee to launch an investigation into the relationship.

The move was supported by The Greens party room on Monday.

Senator Thorpe resigned as Greens deputy Senate leader after it was revealed she had failed to disclose she had been dating the former Rebels president while she was sitting on a law enforcement committee.

Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe says she ‘briefly dated’ ex-Rebels president Dean Martin

Greens leader Adam Bandt asked Senator Thorpe to resign from the leadership position after the story broke in the media last week.

“As a leader, I expect my senators and MPs, especially those in leadership positions, to exercise good judgment,” Mr Bandt told reporters in Melbourne last Thursday.

“At a minimum, Senator Thorpe needed to disclose … her connection to Mr Martin and her failure to do so showed a significant lack of judgment.”

Anthony Albanese has called on Mr Bandt to explain exactly what he knew about the relationship and when.

“Apparently (he) wasn’t awareof this information, even though it was reported to his office,” the Prime Minister said last week.

“That clearly shows they need to change their procedures that were in place.”

Senator Thorpe has said she “briefly dated” Mr Martin and that he was “no longer involved with that world” when they were together.

Greens leader Adam Bandt sacked Senator Thorpe from her leadership position. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Luis Ascui

She released a statement after stepping down as deputy Senate leader, saying: “I accept that I have made mistakes and have not exercised good judgement”.

“I will now reflect on this and focus on my important portfolio work, especially advocating for First Nations people,” she said.

The revelations have sparked concerns across parliament about a perceived conflict of interest with Senator Thorpe’s role on the law enforcement committee.

The committee has received confidential briefings in the past about organised crime and bikie gangs.

NCA NewsWire does not suggest Senator Thorpe broke any confidences while a sitting member of the committee.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has said Senator Thorpe is not fit to serve in parliament. Picture: Daniel Shirkie

The chair of the joint parliamentary committee, Labor senator Helen Polley, has also launched an ­investigation into any potential conflict of interest.

“We need to have that scrutiny to ensure the integrity of the committee,” Senator Polley told the ABC.

“There was a demonstration of very poor judgment on behalf of the Greens senator, and this is in fact a very serious matter.”

Peter Dutton and other Coalition MPs have said Senator Thorpe is not fit to serve in the Australian parliament.

Speaking to Sky News on Sunday, the Opposition Leader called on Greens Leader Adam Bandt to sack her from the party.

“Adam Bandt is the leader of his party, he has been made aware of very serious allegations and he should be the one that is dealing with them,” Mr Dutton said.

Mr Martin is the brother of exiled former Rebel bikie Shane Martin and uncle to star AFL Richmond footballer Dustin.