Australiana's high-profile assault on independent Senator Lidia Thorpe has finally seen justice served, albeit belatedly. Following a suppression order being lifted by Melbourne magistrates court, details have come to light about the attack, which left Senator Thorpe with significant injuries and emotional trauma.
Convicted perpetrator Ebony Bell, 29, was handed a £150 (AUD$300) fine and a 12-month community corrections order. The order includes mandatory treatment for alcohol addiction and anger management after she pleaded guilty to recklessly causing injury to Senator Thorpe and the unlawful assault of two other individuals in September 2025.
According to court proceedings, Bell committed two incidents of gratuitous violence while on bail – one involving an assault on a security guard at a regional pub in August 2025. Her subsequent sentencing for the attack on Senator Thorpe was preceded by her guilty plea to these additional charges just weeks prior.
The assault itself occurred outside Gate 1 of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) during the Dreamtime at the 'G match, after a verbal altercation between Bell and Senator Thorpe escalated into physical violence. CCTV footage captured Bell punching Senator Thorpe twice – once to the head and then the jaw – as well as striking her male friend in the face and pulling a woman's hair who attempted to intervene.
Photos presented to the court showed Senator Thorpe's injuries, including a bruised lip and neck, alongside victim impact statements detailing the long-lasting trauma she experienced. Prosecutor Bianca Moleta described the attack as terrifying, highlighting Bell's role as the aggressor who continued to pursue the group.
Bell's barrister, Carmendy Cooper, stated that her client accepted responsibility and pleaded guilty, claiming Senator Thorpe had made distressing comments about Bell's mother, which upset her. However, Magistrate Jillian Prior noted Senator Thorpe's statement described 'the layering of this trauma upon her own experiences of harm, in what she describes in her role as a First Nations woman in the Senate.'
Senator Thorpe released a statement expressing gratitude that the matter had been finalised, acknowledging the difficult experience compounded by public speculation. The incident serves as a reminder of the need for accountability and understanding in addressing the complexities surrounding violence and its aftermath.