Senator Lidia Thorpe is urging voters to reject the major parties and back progressive independents and minor parties at the upcoming election, arguing that a Labor minority government with a strong crossbench is the best path forward for the nation.
Quotes attributable to Lidia Thorpe, Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung independent Victorian Senator:
"After one term of the Albanese Labor government, we all feel deeply let down.
Albanese abandoned Truth and Treaty, fuelled the climate crisis by expanding coal and gas, failed to protect Country and cultural heritage, and created harsh refugee deportation powers.
He ignored calls to tackle gambling ads, banned social media for kids, gutted the NDIS, and passed undemocratic electoral reforms. He refused to stand up to Israel and the US on the genocide in Gaza.
Meanwhile, he gave tax cuts to the rich and politicians while doing nothing to stop price gouging, skyrocketing rents, or the cost-of-living crisis.
Time and again, Albanese has caved to the Coalition, proving Labor is more willing to listen to Peter Dutton than the community, the crossbench, or even Labor’s own members.
But a Dutton-led government would be a disaster. If elected, Dutton has said he will massively increase climate-destroying gas extraction that will decimate Country and water, he'll cut thousands of jobs, buddy up to Trump, and continue his racist attacks on First Peoples.
The two major parties are both out of touch, prioritising corporate donors and wealthy mates over everyday people. It’s clear they cannot deliver.
It's time to break the two-party system.
To deliver real change, we must push Labor into a minority government with a strong crossbench that will hold them accountable and drive positive change.
Progressive Independents and minor parties are the future. We won’t accept mediocre reform—we will fight for Country, for future generations, and for those forgotten by the major parties.
Justice and real change will only come when Labor is forced to listen and work with outside voices.
We need more First Peoples, more people of colour, and more young people in Parliament.
I urge voters to back progressive independents and minor parties who reflect their values.
Labor and the Coaltion are not the answer."