Heated Exchange in Australian Senate: Lidia Thorpe Accuses Pauline Hanson of Using Derogatory Slur During Debate on US-Israeli Strikes on Iran

In a dramatic escalation of tensions within Australia’s upper house, Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe accused One Nation leader Pauline Hanson of calling her a “b****” during a fiery Senate debate on March 2, 2026. The altercation unfolded amid discussions on a Coalition motion supporting the recent joint US-Israeli military strikes on Iran, highlighting deep divisions in Australian politics over international conflicts, domestic representation, and interpersonal conduct in parliament. Thorpe, a prominent advocate for Indigenous rights, labeled Hanson a “racist” in response, further intensifying the confrontation that drew immediate rebukes from the acting Senate President and sparked widespread media coverage.

The incident began as senators debated the implications of the US-Israeli airstrikes, which commenced on February 28, 2026, and resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. These strikes, codenamed Operation Roaring Lion by Israel, targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities, ballistic missile sites, and military leadership, aiming to disrupt the regime’s capabilities and potentially induce regime change. US President Donald Trump, in a public address, projected the campaign could last four to five weeks or longer, emphasizing objectives to destroy Iran’s missile arsenal, navy, and nuclear ambitions. The strikes have triggered retaliatory attacks by Iran and its proxies across the Middle East, including missile and drone assaults on US allies in the Gulf, such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Qatar, escalating fears of a broader regional conflict.

During the Senate session, Hanson rose to express One Nation’s support for the strikes, focusing on the plight of the Iranian people under the regime and criticizing anti-war sentiments from the Greens and independents like Thorpe. As Hanson spoke, Thorpe repeatedly interjected, shouting “you’re lying” over and over, prompting complaints from One Nation’s Malcolm Roberts, who urged the chair to intervene. The acting president reminded senators to listen respectfully, but tensions boiled over when Hanson unloaded on the Greens, calling them “the most un-Australian people in the Senate” for their alleged lack of patriotism and failure to fight for the country, its flag, and its values.

Thorpe responded vehemently, telling Hanson to “sit down” and branding her an “absolute disgrace.” Moments later, after Hanson concluded her remarks, Thorpe raised a point of order, claiming, “I just got called a b**** by the racist.” The acting deputy president, appearing somewhat amused by the chaos, reiterated the need for respectful language in the chamber at all times, even when not speaking. Hanson later doubled down on her comment outside the chamber, stating she apologized if the public heard the slur but did not retract it, accusing Thorpe of “screaming like a banshee” and provoking the outburst.

This clash is not isolated but part of a pattern of antagonism between the two senators, reflecting broader ideological rifts in Australian politics. Lidia Thorpe, born in 1973 in Carlton, Victoria, is a proud Gunnai, Gunditjmara, and Djab Wurrung woman. She entered federal politics in 2020 as the first Aboriginal senator from Victoria, initially with the Australian Greens before resigning in 2023 to sit as an independent. Thorpe’s background is rooted in activism; her grandmother, Alma Thorpe, founded the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service in 1973, and her mother, Marjorie Thorpe, co-commissioned the Bringing Them Home report on the Stolen Generations. Growing up in public housing in Melbourne’s inner suburbs, Thorpe has faced personal hardships, including becoming a mother at 17 and experiencing domestic violence. Her parliamentary career has been marked by bold protests, such as accusing King Charles of genocide during his 2024 visit to Australia and advocating for Indigenous sovereignty and justice.

In contrast, Pauline Hanson, born in 1954 in Brisbane, Queensland, is the founder and leader of the right-wing One Nation party. She first gained national prominence in 1996 when elected to the House of Representatives as an independent for Oxley, delivering a controversial maiden speech criticizing Asian immigration and Aboriginal welfare policies. Hanson, a former fish-and-chip shop owner and mother of four, has built her political identity on anti-immigration stances, patriotism, and opposition to multiculturalism. She returned to the Senate in 2016 and has been re-elected since, often courting controversy with remarks on race, Islam, and Indigenous issues.

The two have clashed repeatedly. In November 2024, Thorpe was suspended from the Senate for 24 hours after tearing up and throwing a motion by Hanson questioning former Senator Fatima Payman’s citizenship eligibility, an act Thorpe described as “bold-faced racism.” During that incident, Thorpe flipped her middle finger while exiting the chamber, drawing accusations of immaturity. Earlier, in a debate on child sexual abuse in Indigenous communities, Thorpe interrupted Hanson, calling her a “racist” and accusing her of implying Aboriginal people were responsible for such crimes. Hanson has faced censure motions herself, including one in February 2026 for stating there are “no good Muslims,” which led to her storming out of the Senate. These encounters underscore ongoing debates about racism in parliament, with Thorpe and Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi pushing for investigations into discriminatory conduct.

Reactions to the March 2 altercation were swift and polarized. Foreign Minister Penny Wong condemned the language used, emphasizing the need for decorum in debates on sensitive international issues. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s office issued a statement calling for all senators to uphold parliamentary standards, while Opposition Leader Peter Dutton criticized Thorpe’s interruptions as disruptive. Public responses on social media were divided; supporters of Hanson praised her for standing firm against what they saw as leftist aggression, while Thorpe’s backers hailed her for challenging perceived racism. Media outlets like Sky News Australia broadcast footage of the exchange, with commentators debating its impact on public trust in politicians.

The broader context of the debate—the US-Israeli strikes—adds another layer. Australia, a close US ally, was not informed in advance of the operation, according to government statements. The strikes have caused significant casualties in Iran, with reports of over 600 deaths in Iran and Lebanon, and have disrupted global oil supplies through attacks on key waterways like the Strait of Hormuz. In Australia, the motion supporting the strikes reflects divisions: the Coalition and One Nation back the action as necessary to counter Iranian threats, while the Greens and independents like Thorpe oppose it, citing risks of escalation and humanitarian concerns. Thorpe’s heckling may stem from her anti-war stance and criticism of Western interventions in the Middle East.

This incident raises questions about the health of democratic discourse in Australia. With Thorpe announcing she won’t contest the next election in two years, and Hanson facing potential censure, the clash could influence voter perceptions ahead of polls. Experts argue such personal attacks distract from substantive policy debates, like Australia’s role in Middle Eastern conflicts or domestic issues such as Closing the Gap on Indigenous disparities, which Hanson referenced in prior speeches. As the Senate reconvenes, calls for stricter codes of conduct may gain traction to prevent future eruptions.

In summary, the Thorpe-Hanson altercation encapsulates the volatile intersection of foreign policy, identity politics, and personal animosity in Australian parliament. While the immediate fallout focuses on decorum, it mirrors global tensions amplified by the ongoing Iran crisis, reminding observers that even in stable democracies, debates can turn deeply personal.