LIDIA THORPE CLEARED OF CONTEMPT CHARGES

Lidia Thorpe addressed the Senate yesterday. Credit: Parliament of Australia.

An investigation into the alleged relationship between Senator Lidia Thorpe and a former bikie gang leader has cleared Senator Thorpe of contempt of parliament.

Reports of an undisclosed relationship between the DjabWurrung Senator and former Rebels leader Dean Martin emerged last year when Ms. Thorpe was still part of the Greens party.

The matter caused Senator Thorpe to lose her position as Deputy Leader of the Greens in the Senate and to refer herself to the Privileges Committee to be investigated.

Ms Thorpe, who has since cut ties with the Greens, said in a Senate speech yesterday that she only kissed Mr. Martin once and had not dated him. 

“All you people thought that I had been running off with some bikie gang, telling secrets about what goes on in this place,” she said.

“What kind of person do you think I am?

“I think I deserve an apology from the leader of the Greens, because I lost my position for a kiss on Invasion Day with some black man at a rally who happened to be an ex-biker. I didn’t ask for his resume.”