Thorpe's absence from parliament was due to a violent attack she experienced, as she explains.

Senator Lidia Thorpe recently shared that she was unable to attend over a third of the parliamentary sittings this year due to a serious assault she suffered. According to data from Parliament, she was present for 28 out of 44 sitting days and 222 out of 493 divisions. This is a decrease from last year, where she attended 38 out of 66 sitting days and 206 out of 558 divisions.

In response to criticism about her absences, Thorpe explained that earlier this year, she was assaulted at a public event. The injuries she sustained were severe, including nerve and spinal damage in her neck that required surgery and the placement of a plate. She even has a visible scar on the front of her neck as a result. Her doctor advised her not to travel or work during her recovery, which is why she was unable to attend parliament.

While she would have preferred to keep this matter private, Thorpe felt the need to explain her absence and clarify any misunderstandings. She also mentioned that the incident is still under police investigation. In addition to this, Thorpe was also targeted by a neo-Nazi who threatened her and burned an Aboriginal flag.

Despite her limited physical presence in parliament, Thorpe assured that she takes her role as a senator very seriously. She remains engaged with the legislative agenda and makes sure her voting positions are accurately represented through pairing arrangements.

Thorpe has been making headlines this week for her protest against King Charles during his visit to Parliament House and for her confusion over her oath of allegiance. She initially admitted to intentionally making a mistake during her oath, but later clarified that she simply misspoke due to her limited knowledge of English grammar. This has sparked calls for her resignation and potential action against her.

The Australian parliament requires all members to swear the oath of allegiance before taking their seat. In light of Thorpe's admission, the opposition leader in the Senate, Simon Birmingham, has requested that Senate president Sue Lines review Thorpe's eligibility. A spokesperson for Lines confirmed that she received the letter, but no further details were provided.

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