Lidia Thorpe refers herself to probe

Greens senator Lidia Thorpe will refer herself to an investigation by a parliamentary committee over failing to disclose her relationship with former Rebels bikie leader Dean Martin.

Greens senator Lidia Thorpe. Picture: Getty Images

Greens senator Lidia Thorpe will refer herself to an investigation by a parliamentary committee over failing to disclose her relationship with former Rebels bikie leader Dean Martin.

Senator Thorpe won the support of Greens colleagues for ­referring herself to the Senate standing committee of privileges, which investigates allegations of improper conduct in the upper house of parliament.

“I have decided to write to the president of the Senate today ­requesting a referral of myself to the Senate Committee of Privileges,” Senator Thorpe said in a statement.

“The Greens partyroom backed my decision today. I am more than willing to participate in any inquiry.

“I am proud of my work for First Nations justice and I won’t stop fighting for my people.”

Senator Thorpe’s decision was likely aimed at pre-empting a hostile referral from a Coalition or crossbench senator.

Last week, Greens leader Adam Bandt asked Senator Thorpe to resign as the party’s deputy Senate leader but is allowing her to continue to lead the party on Indigenous affairs, including on its position on a constitutionally enshrined voice to parliament.

Mr Bandt said Senator Thorpe should have informed him about her relationship with Mr Martin while she was sitting on the joint parliamentary law enforcement committee. At the time, law enforcement committee members were receiving briefings and confidential documents on the Australian Federal Police strategy to monitor outlaw motorcycle gangs as part of an inquiry into the online trading of illicit drugs.

Mr Martin, who stepped down from the Rebels leadership in 2018 and has not been convicted of a crime, is the brother of late exiled Rebels leader Shane Martin, whose son is AFL star Dustin Martin.

Senator Thorpe has denied passing on any confidential information from AFP briefings to Mr Martin and declared that their “brief” romance was based on their interest in advocating for Indigenous Australians.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton on Sunday said he was prepared to refer Ms Thorpe to the proposed national anti-corruption commission.

On Monday, Liberal senator James Paterson said the Greens should allow a full debate in the Senate on the issue.

“This is a very serious matter. It requires political leadership from the Greens and requires them to take responsibility,” Senator Paterson said.