- Motions on Indigenous Affairs: Senator Lidia Thorpe introduced a motion in response to a bombing incident in Perth that targeted First Peoples and their supporters during an Invasion Day rally on January 26, 2026. She condemned the act as terrorism aimed at Indigenous Australians and criticized the insufficient media and political response to such violence (pp. 2-3).
- Supportive Responses:
- Senator Malarndirri McCarthy condemned the bombing and called for strong leadership to combat racism (p. 3).
- Senator Larissa Waters echoed Senator Thorpe’s sentiments, highlighting the media’s silence around the incident and the necessity for consistent condemnation of hate crimes (pp. 4-5).
- Senator Fatima Payman supported the call for urgency in addressing violence against First Peoples, pointing out selective governmental responses (pp. 5-6).
- Senator Dorinda Cox voiced concerns about the serious impact of the bombing on First Nations communities and articulated solidarity against racism (p. 6).
- Debate Outcomes: The Senate engaged in an extensive debate concerning the motion, indicating a shared recognition among many senators of the severity of violence against Indigenous Australians. However, some senators, like Kerrynne Liddle, expressed disagreement with Thorpe’s framing of the event, suggesting that it politicized a tragic incident (pp. 3-4).
- Further Legislative Discussions: Throughout the session, various motions pertaining to Indigenous issues were discussed alongside other significant social issues, including the need for comprehensive reforms regarding housing policies that also impact Indigenous communities (pp. 60-61).
- Overall Sentiment: The discussions reflected a growing acknowledgment of the need for addressing racism and violence against Indigenous people in Australia, with calls for accountable leadership and systemic change to improve the safety and rights of First Peoples in the broader legislative agenda.
Discover more from GovSnacks
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
