Lidia Thorpe's little-known ex-tradie son, 35, makes debut speech to parliament as part of Victoria's controversial Indigenous treaty

Published: 09:45, 24 July 2026 | Updated: 09:47, 24 July 2026 The former tradie son of controversial Senator Lidia Thorpe has declared Victoria stands at a 'pivotal moment' in his inaugural speech to parliament as a member of the state's First Peoples' Assembly. Andrew Thorpe, 35, left behind a career in construction to follow in his mother's footsteps in politics, and was elected to the representative body in April of this year. Victoria became the first Australian state to sign a treaty with First Nations peoples at the end of 2025, setting up a new process for negotiations with the government. Thorpe began his debut to parliament by 'acknowledging the land that was stolen that the building is placed on'.  'Being born into the Thorpe family meant that I was on the front lines from an early age,' he continued in his address on June 22. 'One of my earliest memories is the protest that ceased the destruction of a sacred site. A career in construction taught me that a solid foundation is critical to create a strong structure.  'With the years of activism and dedication that our elders and ancestors have shown, we are now building off that strength and wisdom to change the future of so-called Victoria.' Thorpe said his family had empowered him to fight for a treaty 'that ensures we thrive with respect and dignity'.  Andrew Thorpe delivered his inaugural speech to the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria Andrew Thorpe is the son of Senator Lidia Thorpe 'We find ourselves at a pivotal moment in Victoria's history,' he said. 'The treaty process represents more than political negotiation. It is an opportunity to redefine relationships, to acknowledge truths that have too often been ignored, and to establish a foundation based on respect, recognition, and justice.' The 35-year-old also honoured his great-grandmother, Alma Thorpe, who helped establish the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service in 1973, saying her legacy inspired him to continue fighting for his community. Established in 2019, Victoria's Indigenous Voice body is an independent, democratically elected body representing Traditional Owners and Aboriginal peoples across Victoria. Thorpe's mother, Lidia, became the first Aboriginal senator for Victoria in 2020.  Her younger sibling, former militant protester Meriki Onus, who uses they/them pronouns, was appointed to head the First Peoples' Assembly alongside Indigenous activist Djaran Murray-Jackson.  Onus and Murray-Jackson will earn $348,000 each to lead the Indigenous 33-person assembly which was elected and empowered on May 1.