Revelations that Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe failed to disclose her relationship with former President of the Victorian Rebels bikie club have garnered widespread criticism of her actions.
Labor and the Coalition, along with One Nation have all condemned Thorpe's failure to disclose her relationship.
Media Release | Hanson to move censure of Thorpe for bikie link
— Pauline Hanson 🇦🇺 (@PaulineHansonOz) October 21, 2022
Senator Pauline Hanson will move to have Greens senator Lidia Thorpe censured in the Senate for her failure to disclose her relationship with an ex-bikie leader while serving on a joint parliamentary law committee. pic.twitter.com/YONI1sNxz7
Notably, LNP Leader, Peter Dutton has called for Thorpe's resignation from the Senate, saying she is "not fit" to serve in Australian Parliament.
LNP Leader, Peter Dutton has been calling for Lidia Thorpe's departure from Australian politics, despite defending former NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian amidst similar circumstances. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Dutton, along with former Prime Minister, Scott Morrison were vocal defenders of former NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian when she came under fire for her undisclosed relationship with disgraced Wagga Wagga MP, Daryl Maguire.
Amidst the scandal, Dutton told Nine News, "I don’t think you could find anybody more honourable or decent than Gladys Berejiklian.
"It’s a time for NSW to get behind her.”
Dutton was joined by then-Employment Minister, Michaelia Cash who said "Gladys Berejiklian has been upfront.
"I have been very pleased with the level of support that has been offered to Gladys.”
During scrutiny of Berejiklian's relationship with Maguire, then-Prime Minister, Scott Morrison said the NSW ICAC was a "kangaroo court" that had pursued "political vendettas."
Senator Thorpe has resigned from her Senate Leadership role at the request of the Leader of the Greens, Adam Bandt.
Greens Leader, Adam Bandt has ordered Lidia Thorpe's resignation from Greens Senate leadership, following the revelation she had dated former President of the Victorian chapter of the Rebels bikie organisation, Dean Martin. Photo: Julian Meehan, Wikimedia Commons
Bandt said at a press conference Thursday, "the significant error of judgement that she showed has led me to ask her to step down from the leadership team."
Bandt added that he had "confidence in senator Thorpe continuing as a senator representing our party on first nations issues."
Bandt said the issue was "disappointing because people are entitled to trust," adding that there is an expectation "that where there are issues that affect the work of senators or members of parliament that they will be disclosed."
This scandal is the latest in a string of integrity breaches within parliament.
Following former Prime Minister, Scott Morrison's ministerial appointment scandal, advocacy group Transparency International Australia called for an integrity commission as well as additional measures to ensure transparency in parliament.
On September 28, the Albanese Labor government introduced the National Anti-Corruption Commission Bill to parliament.
In response to the introduction of the legislation, Law Council of Australia President, Tass Liveris said he was "pleased to see this further step in the Government’s commitment to establishing such an authority moving ahead."
Liveris said that, as government, including security and law enforcement agencies, have expanded in recent years it has "never been more critical that we take decisive action to continuously strengthen our systems of integrity and independent oversight.
"The Law Council has long recognised that corruption has many corrosive effects on society including to undermine democracy and the rule of law.”
Labor has established a committee to inquire into and report on provisions in their National Anti-Corruption Commission legislation, which is due to report by November 10, 2022.