The Senate’s chief adviser on affairs says Lidia Thorpe is eligible to be a senator despite her claim that she swore allegiance to Queen Elizabeth’s “hairs” when she was sworn in parliament.
Secretary of the Senate Richard Pye, the Senate president’s chief adviser on the proceedings, said on Monday there was no “evidence of sincerity” when asked about Senator Thorpe’s swearing-in ceremony.
“The idea that we think that perhaps this constitutional requirement is not given due reverence or due consideration should in any way interfere with the ability of a democratically elected Senate to continue to play its role in the Senate goes too far.” ‘ Mr Pye told the Senate estimates.
He confirmed that Senator Thorpe would have sworn allegiance by signing her oath anyway, as legal experts and other MPs have pointed out.
“In this case, the words that were said are the same as those that appear on the evidence paper,” he said.
‘Senator Thorpe, by signing them, attested that those were the words he had spoken.
‘And the President endorses it to say that the oath, the affirmation has been duly taken and signed before her.’
The Secretary of the Senate says Lidia Thorpe is eligible despite her claim that she swore allegiance to Queen Elizabeth’s “hairs.” Image: NewsWire / POOL / Lukas Coch
Secretary of the Senate Richard Pye says Lidia Thorpe is eligible despite her claim that she swore allegiance to Queen Elizabeth’s “hairs”.
Senator Thorpe was forced to retract her claim after it raised questions about her eligibility. Image: NewsWire
Senator Thorpe was forced to retract her claim that she did not correctly pronounce her senatorial oath after it raised questions about her eligibility.
Instead, he said he was wrong.
The Greens-turned-independents made this claim after their expletive-filled protest during the royal visit last month.