Lidia Thorpe won’t be forced to give up her seat for a new Greens senator, despite calls by a former preselection rival for her to do so. 

The outspoken politician yesterday parted ways with the Greens Party and shifted to the crossbench over disagreements with the party line on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

Human rights activist and barrister Julian Burnside, who sought the Senate position in a ballot against Ms Thorpe two years ago, is calling for her to give it up.

He says Victorian voters backed the Greens, not Ms Thorpe, when they went to the polls last year, meaning the position in belonged the the party.

Bill McDonald agreed Ms Thorpe should lose her place in the Senate.

“I’m sick of this happening, where candidates pledge allegiance to a party’s agenda and platform,” he said.

“They get elected on that agenda and platform, they get elected on the party’s dime, and then turn their back on it for their own selfish agenda.”

Press PLAY below to hear his comments in full 

But Steve from Murarrie said while most would agree Lidia Thorpe won the seat on the back of the Greens, it can’t simply be taken back.

“We all know what she’s done but we can’t force her out, you can’t force her to giver back the ‘Greens’ seat,” he said.

Press PLAY below to hear Steve explain why

Image: Martin Ollman/Getty Images