Senator Lidia Thorpe will today move a motion in the Senate condemning the attempted bombing in Boorloo (Perth) on January 26, which targeted First Peoples and their supporters during a Day of Mourning on Noongar Country.
Senator Lidia Thorpe will today move a motion in the Senate condemning the attempted bombing in Boorloo (Perth) on January 26, which targeted First Peoples and their supporters during a Day of Mourning on Noongar Country.
The motion expresses solidarity with all those affected, acknowledges the serious harm and trauma caused, and affirms that racism and hate directed at First Peoples are real, rising, and unacceptable.
The Government has indicated it will support the motion in the Senate. Senator Thorpe is urging Labor to also facilitate the motion in the House of Representatives, so the entire Parliament can reflect on and condemn the attack together, as has occurred in other instances of violence in the community.
Senator Thorpe remains in discussions with the Government this morning.
Quotes attributable to Lidia Thorpe, Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung independent Victorian Senator:
"The motion I will put forward condemns the attempted bombing, expresses solidarity with those affected, and acknowledges the deep trauma it caused.
It makes clear that racism and hate directed at First Peoples are real, rising, and must be taken seriously by this Parliament.
January 26 is already a Day of Mourning for many First Peoples. An attack on that day, at an Invasion Day rally, represents a serious escalation of racial violence and warrants a clear, united response from the Parliament.
The Government has indicated it will support this motion in the Senate, and I welcome that. I’m urging them to also take this up in the House of Representatives.
This was a significant event. The whole Parliament should have the opportunity to reflect on it and condemn it together, as we have done in other instances of violence.
First Peoples across the country have been distressed to see this attack not taken as seriously as attacks against other communities. We should be turning that around today. Our lives matter too.
I’m still in discussions with the Government this morning. I would like to see the Parliament united on this, with the attack condemned in both the Senate and the H