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Victorian Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe has addressed the Senate chamber over her failure to disclose a past relationship with a former bikie while she was sitting on a law enforcement committee, but says she has no intention of leaving politics.
- The ABC has revealed Lidia Thorpe was in an undisclosed relationship with a former bikie while sitting on a law enforcement committee
- Senator Thorpe resigned from her position as deputy leader of the Greens in the Senate
- Senate President Sue Lines has decided the matter met the criteria for referral to the privileges committee
It comes after the ABC revealed Senator Thorpe was in a brief relationship with former president of the Rebels bikie gang, Dean Martin.
Senator Thorpe has admitted it was a mistake not to disclose the relationship, but says she had never shared privileged information with Mr Martin.
"All confidential information I received as part of the joint committee on law enforcement was treated in confidence.
"I strongly reject any suggestion that I would do anything other than comply with the requirements of the committee, and I note no-one has offered any evidence to the contrary," Senator Thorpe said.
She said she remained committed to her portfolio work as part of the Greens party in the parliament.
"I'm not going anywhere, especially while we don't have a treaty in this country, which I will continue to fight for," Senator Thorpe said.
"Having now given this explanation to the Senate, I turned my focus to my important portfolio work, especially fighting for First Nations justice.
"Thank you to all who have sent messages of love and solidarity. [The] support and understanding has been overwhelming. My ancestors, my families, my elders, my community and allyship out there is what maintains my strength.
"I wouldn't be here without those people I mentioned, and I couldn't do it without those people."
Last week, Senator Thorpe resigned her position as deputy leader of the Greens in the Senate over the issue and has since sought to be referred to the parliamentary privileges committee.
On Tuesday, Senate President Sue Lines said the matter had met the criteria for referral and the upper house then agreed to forward the matter to the committee, with Labor, the Coalition and Senator Thorpe supporting the motion.
Greens leader Adam Bandt told Afternoon Briefing that he supported the steps that have been taken, but said Senator Thorpe still had a lot to offer the parliament.
"Senator Thorpe has paid a price, she has stood down from the deputy leadership [of the Greens in] the Senate, she has admitted that she was wrong and has requested that it be looked into by the Senate," he said.
"On the question of her commitment to First Nations justice and the matters that are being pursued as part of her portfolio, that remains strong and has the Greens support."