Lidia Thorpe blasts Anthony Albanese and rages against ‘fascists’ after disturbing neo-Nazi video was posted

Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe has blasted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during a furious spray against fascists and the Voice to Parliament referendum.

Addressing media on Thursday after she was tagged in a disturbing video from a neo-Nazi group which included threats against her, Senator Thorpe claimed Mr Albanese had failed to offer her adequate protection.

The video – which is being investigated by the Australian Federal Police – featured a balaclava-clad man who claimed to be from warriors for convict resistance performing a Nazi salute and burning the Aboriginal flag.

“Well this is what youse wanted. You wanted to shut me down. This building behind us is where it all began in 1901. The racist constitution come out of this building,” Senator Thorpe said in front of the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne. 

“It’s caused nothing but pain and misery for my people in this country. The referendum is an act of genocide against my people.

“And the Prime Minister knows exactly what he’s doing. He wants the f***ing fascists to come out and get me.

“That’s what he wants. Because his violent force that he has sent to protect me can’t even protect me. Refused to protect the black sovereign woman. Because the police are part of the problem in this country.”

Senator Thorpe added she had sought her own personal protection because she could not rely on police to keep her safe, and also revealed she was in “exile” for four months as she could not stay in her own home.

“I’ve hired my own black army. And this parliament has to pay for the black army. Not the army that continues to violate black women and black men in this country,” she said.

“I don’t trust your army. I only trust my own.”

But Mr Albanese later told reporters Senator Thorpe had previous thanked him for responding to her concerns about police support. 

“Senator Thorpe contacted me directly. I responded to her at the first opportunity. On the same day, spoke to the AFP,” he said.

“I don’t talk about what AFP support is being given, for obvious reasons. That would be quite counterproductive. But Senator Thorpe certainly responded to me that same day by thanking me for responding to her.”

When asked about Senator Thorpe blaming him for fascists targeting her in the video, Mr Albanese said: “I’m not going to engage in a debate like that”.

“I’d just say that it’s appropriate that people be respectful in this debate. I will continue to conduct myself respectfully. I will continue to campaign for a Yes vote in this referendum, as I’ve been doing, talking with voters this morning,” he said.

“This is about just two things that we have an opportunity to do. To recognise the first Australians in our nation’s founding document, and secondly, to do it in the form in which they have requested.”

Speaking on the threatening video, the Prime Minister said: “The sort of Nazi rhetoric and statements that are in that video have no place in discourse in Australian political life”.