She was defeated for re-election to her state seat by independent Tony Mulder at the 2011 periodic elections, but was subsequently nominated to a casual vacancy for the Australian Senate in June 2012 caused by the resignation of Nick Sherry.
Her political interests include community support, women's issues, reconciliation, multiculturalism, the natural environment and social justice.
During her time as Labor member she claimed a number of government achievements in information technology, including the opening of an online access centre in Clarendon Vale and the $4 million "Laptops for Teachers" program.
Other programs she was involved in included: diabetes camps for teenagers, 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake aid efforts and Landcare Australia funding deals.
In 2005, Thorp quoted, in tears, lyrics from John Lennon's song "Imagine", when the government introduced new anti-terrorism laws.