Independent senator Corrida Thorpe has taken more unexplained days off from parliament this term than any other senator and participated in less than half of all Senate votes in that period, according to official attendance records.
Records show that in the 47th parliament, Thorpe was absent for 11 days without obtaining permission from the Senate. Permission to take leave can be requested before or after being absent, and is usually granted.
In a written statement to Guardian Australia, Thorpe said he would rectify the situation when parliament resumes.
“This is not a problem,” he said. “There is no time limit to apply for the license. “My office will address this in the coming weeks of Parliament sessions.”
Thorpe requested and received permission from the Senate for an additional 40 days' leave in the current parliament. This figure is surpassed only by former Senator Patrick Dodson, who took 54 days of official leave while battling cancer.
“Despite what some say, I do not take my position in the Senate lightly,” Thorpe said. “I am committed to my responsibilities and duties as an independent senator and my small team is incredibly hard-working and diligent.”
Thorpe said he had suffered an injury which affected his attendance.
“Earlier this year I was assaulted at a public event,” Thorpe's statement read. “I suffered severe injuries to the nerves and spine in my neck, requiring spinal surgery and the insertion of a plate. There is a scar on the front of my neck from this. The doctor ordered me not to travel and I was unable to attend parliament after suffering the injury and during recovery from surgery. “My doctor told me to take time off work.”
Thorpe said he had only revealed the matter publicly in response to media questions about his parliamentary attendance record.
“I would have preferred to keep this matter private and will not be commenting further on the matter at this time.”
Of the 1,238 divisions, or votes, held in the Senate since the 2022 election, official data shows Thorpe has been present for only 572, or 46.2%.
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There are a variety of reasons why senators may overlook divisions – including absences from parliament due to illness, official travel or other commitments – and other senators have also overlooked divisions.
The Senate data does not provide reasons why votes were lost. Senators can notify the Senate that they will be absent and register their voting intentions on specific legislation, allowing them to be paired with a senator who is also absent and intends to vote the opposite way. These unofficial agreements allow the major parties to preserve their relative voting strength and are generally used for uncontroversial legislation.
Thorpe has occasionally had other senators present motions on his behalf in his absence.
“When I was not present in parliament, I was still engaged and following the legislative dietario, and ensuring my voting positions were reflected in the outcome of the vote through pairing agreements,” Thorpe said.
Senate records show Queensland One Nation senator Pauline Hanson has been absent from parliament for seven days without leave this term and Tasmanian independent senator Jacqui Lambie has been absent for six days.
Through a spokesman, Hanson declined to offer any comment. Lambie's spokesman said she was traveling and could not be reached on Friday.
Senators from the Demócrata National Party, the Demócrata Party, the Greens and other independents have also taken a smaller number of unexplained days off without obtaining permission.
Of 76 senators, 44 have not taken unexplained days off.