Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Brockman, for reading out the findings of the Privileges Committee. Over months and months, my family and my children have had to wait with bated breath about the process, the outcome and the transparency in this whole situation. I was basically mauled by the media in that time. I had no relationship with that person. I was given legal advice by the Greens lawyer that I had to say that I dated this person. I got a call from that person, who said, 'Did we date?' We kissed once at a rally. We kissed once at a rally on 26 January. I had no idea who this person was, or his background. My legal advice was to say I dated this person. I got mauled by all of you. I got mauled by the media. Senator whatever-your-name-is, down the front with the big smile on your face—Holly Hughes—you were one of them. I am sick of being torn down by—