DjabWurrung Gunnai Gunditjmara woman Thorpeя╗┐, who has been a member of federal parliament since 2020, announced her decision to quit the party on Monday.
“This country has a strong grassroots Black sovereign movement full of staunch and committed warriors and I want to represent that movement fully in this parliament,” she said.
“It has become clear to me I can’t do that from within the Greens.
“Now I will be able to speak freely on all issues from a sovereign perspective without being constrained from portfolios and agreed party positions.”
It comes after Thorpe я╗┐questioned the Voice to parliament, which the Albanese government is pushing to succeed at a referendum this year.
It’s understood Thorpe had reached a deal with the Greens to allow her to personally vote against the proposal if and when the partyя╗┐ decided to support it.
“This is at odds with the community of activists who are saying treaty before Voice,” she said.
я╗┐”My elders marched for a treaty. This is who I am.”
She said she wouldn’t be announcing her final position on the Voice and willя╗┐ continue to negotiate with the government.
“First Nations sovereignty is crucial and so is saving lives today,” she said.
Thorpe called for the government to introduce a royal commission into Aboriginal deaths in custodyя╗┐ and implement recommendations from the Bringing Them Home report.
With Thorpe’s decision to quit the Greens, it could mean the party will now support the Voice.я╗┐
