Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a one-minute statement.

Leave granted.

I'm not surprised, as a blak sovereign woman in this place who has experienced racism since I walked in the door, about this ongoing denial when we call out racism. You get together and go, 'How can we make this white?' Not 'right'—'How can we make this white?' And that's what youse have done. You've shut down two black and brown women in this place who've said: 'We want to deal with racism. Can you assist us please, Senate?' And you two get together and talk about how much whiter you can make this place and how unsafe you're going to continue to make this place. We've called this out because we don't feel safe. For the two speakers of your parties—both white—to deny our right, shame on you both!