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October 28, 2025
Senator slams think-tank for inviting pro-squatter activist to panel
Liberal Senator James Paterson has taken aim at a left-wing think-tank for giving a platform to a controversial pro-squatter housing influencer, labelling the decision to profile someone who has "mocked acts of political violence" as "irresponsible and reckless".
Jordan van den Lamb, better known by his online alias "Purplepingers", is slated to speak on a housing panel as part of The Australia Institute's sold out Revenue Summit at Parliament House tomorrow morning.
Senator Paterson pointed to Mr van den Lamb's previous social media posts in which he shared a string of memes making light of the alleged murder of US UnitedHealth chief executive Brian Thompson in December 2024.
In September 2023, Mr van den Lamb a one-time Senate candidate also shared an X post stating that there are only "two ways to fight organised greed: 1. Organised unions, or 2. Violence".
Another post from October 2024 read: "I keep getting asked if I agree with violence when it comes to r e s i s t a n c e against oppression. Who am I to say how someone should seek their own liberation? If you want to seek liberation, I'll be there to support you, whichever method you choose."
Senator Paterson said Mr van den Lamb's inclusion on the panel was "especially irresponsible and reckless" given the current elevated security risks for federal politicians and staff a concern noted by former AFP commissioner Reece Kershaw earlier this year.
He called on Senate president Sue Lines and Speaker Milton Dick to "urgently review and, if necessary, revoke Mr van den Lamb's access to Parliament House for this event".
"It is deeply troubling that a progressive think tank would platform an individual who has mocked acts of political violence overseas and has implied that political violence is an acceptable alternative to democratic change," Senator Paterson said.
"It's even worse they plan to do so at the heart of our democracy Parliament House." However Mr van den Lamb said his social media posts were "tongue in cheek".
"If James (Paterson) thinks posting a meme is a form of political violence, then I think the Liberals should probably reconsider their consider their stance on free speech," he said.
Anthony Albanese labelled Mr van den Lamb a "disgrace" in April after he had publicly leaked the addresses of empty homes and encouraged squatters to occupy the properties. The Prime Minister said it was "quite clearly just reprehensible, self indulgent behaviour".
Asked if he stood by sharing the addresses of unoccupied homes and promoting squatting, Mr an den Lamb replied "yeah" adding that "James has nothing to be scared of unless he has an empty investment property somewhere".
The Australia Institute has also been contacted for comment.