Lidia Thorpe says mental health speculation is ‘racist and misogynistic’ attempt to discredit her

Senator says she was provoked and stood up for herself after video showed expletive-laden row outside Melbourne strip club

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The independent senator Lidia Thorpe says speculation about her mental health is a “racist and misogynistic narrative” used to discredit outspoken women and claims political opponents including Anthony Albanese are trying to “drag” her down.

After video emerged showing the Victorian senator engaged in an expletive-laden argument outside a Melbourne strip club on the weekend, the prime minister suggested health issues could be behind the incident and said he hoped she “gets some support”.

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