Senator Fatima Payman has announced that she will be refraining from participating in Senate matters for the upcoming week following her suspension from the Labor caucus.
After being suspended from the Labor Party caucus, Estranged Labor Senator Fatima Payman has released an open letter outlining her stance on the situation.
Last week, Ms. Payman faced criticism within the party for voting with the Greens on a motion to recognize a Palestinian state, prompting Foreign Minister Penny Wong and other party members to question her loyalty to Labor.
This marked the first instance of a Labor member crossing the floor since 2015.
On July 1, Ms. Payman took to social media to address her standing within the party, stating, “Yesterday, the prime minister suspended me indefinitely from the Australian Labor Party caucus.”
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She continued, “Since then, I have had no contact with my caucus colleagues. I have been excluded from caucus meetings, committees, internal group chats, and whips bulletins,” she revealed.
“I have been instructed to refrain from all chamber duties that involve voting, including divisions, motions, and matters of public interest. I have been isolated.”
Ms. Payman expressed her belief that certain Labor members are attempting to pressure her into resigning from the Senate.
“These actions lead me to believe that some members are trying to intimidate me into resigning from the senate,” she expressed.
“As a result, I will abstain from voting on Senate matters for the remainder of the week, unless a matter of conscious arises where I’ll uphold the true values and principles of the Labor Party.
“I will use this time to reflect on my future and the best way to represent the people of Western Australia.”
Payman’s Actions Do Not Align With Labor: PM
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the need to de-escalate tensions surrounding Ms. Payman’s situation and avoid provocation.
In response to a question from Bradfield member Paul Fletcher about handling Ms. Payman’s actions and her support of the controversial chant, “From the river to the sea,” the prime minister acknowledged the slogan’s association with both pro-Israel and pro-Palestine sentiments.
While affirming the government’s support for a two-state solution and peaceful resolution to the Israel-Hamas conflict, Mr. Albanese criticized Ms. Payman’s decision to cross the floor.
“By her own actions, Senator Payman has placed herself outside the privilege that comes with participating in the federal parliamentary Labor Party caucus, and I informed her of that yesterday,” he stated.
