Lidia Thorpe joins Jacinta Price in attacking Anthony Albanese’s meeting with Shaquille O’Neal

Senator Lidia Thorpe has finally found common ground with Jacinta Price in slamming Anthony Albanese for his meeting with NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal.

The former NBA star was supposed to show support for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament – but instead mumbled a few words about God and loving Australia.

Senators Thorpe and Price, two indigenous MPs on opposite sides of the Indigenous Voice issue were united in panning the event as a divisive stunt.

The pair frequently snipe at each other on social media and in parliament, and have sharply contrasting political views on most issues.

Senator Thorpe, a left-wing Greens MP, attacked O’Neal for injecting himself into the issue during an increasingly heated debate.

‘Thought a Black man coming to our Country would be more respectful to First Nations people than interfering in what is a controversial topic, dividing our people,’ she wrote on Twitter.

‘Ill advised, hope you take the time to set it right. We don’t come to your country and interfere in your business.’

Senator Thorpe is strongly supportive of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, but appeared to think the basketball legend did more harm than good.

Senator Price earlier tried to slam dunk the meeting, dismissed the event as ‘desperate times call for desperate measures’.

The newly elected Country Liberal senator, who opposes an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, was scathing about the prime minister, Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney, and the man widely known as Shaq.

‘If the PM and the Minister for Indigenous Australians thinks Shaq’s experience with “lifting people up who are marginalised” is the answer to winning Yes votes for the Voice then it demonstrates how clueless and out of touch they both are,’ she said. 

‘I’ve no doubt Shaq’s a top bloke but it’s a bit insulting to call on a black American to help with black Australians as if this is all about the colour of one’s skin.’

Ms Price said indigenous Australians had more in common with Native Americans than African Americans.

She said Mr Albanese and Ms Burney, who is indigenous, should feel ashamed for ‘such shallowness with no substance when we’re faced with such serious issues’.

Ms Burney kept things much more lighthearted in posting a picture of herself with O’Neal and Mr Albanese to social media. 

‘Not every day you get to shake hands with NBA legend Shaq,’ she said. 

‘The 4 time NBA champion discussed his charity work, basketball and his interest in the First Nations Voice.

‘I hope he enjoys the Bunnies (South Sydney NRL team) jersey, and the killer boomerang handmade by 25 year old Wiradjuri artist Josh Evans.’

Mr Albanese said O’Neal requested a meeting in Sydney to learn more about the referendum on the proposed Voice to Parliament.

The 2.11m giant dwarfed both Mr Albanese and the petite Ms Burney at the short photo opportunity.

Shaq proved to be a man of few words on this occasion, though he did perform an odd move in gently pulling Ms Burney’s hand to touch his forehead.

Mr Albanese later said the meeting had been a success, saying: ‘It was a very positive conversation,

‘He is interested in this country, his second visit to Australia. 

‘He knows that we are a warm and generous people, and he wanted to inform himself about what this (Voice) debate was about… by engaging directly with the Minister for Indigenous Affairs and myself as the Prime Minister. 

‘It is a really positive discussion about the way that Australia is seen in the world.’

Though many commenters on Ms Burney’s Facebook page supported him, some were perplexed by why they were using O’Neal to publicise Australian politics. 

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Albanese, Ms Price and Ms Burney seeking comment for this story.