Rebel senator quits Labor after ‘exile’ claim

Senator Fatima Payman has quit the Labor Party after continually defying the Prime Minister and caucus to support Palestinian statehood, saying it was not an issue she could compromise on.

The 29-year-old first-term senator from Western Australia announced her decision to quit the party and sit on the cross bench on Thursday afternoon.

“With a heavy heart, but a clear conscience I announce my resignation from the Australian Labor Party,” she told reporters as question time was under way.

“I have informed the prime minister that effective immediately I will sit on the crossbench to represent Western Australia.”

Senator Payman, who is Muslim, became the first member of the ALP caucus in 18 years to cross the floor when she voted for a Greens motion last week to recognise Palestinian statehood.

Under Labor policy, members must vote with the caucus.

Senator Payman made a pointed comment to her former Labor colleagues, saying as a former refugee, she could not “remain silent”.

She said she maintained the support of rank and file Labor members, unionists and lifelong members, and had received support from party volunteers calling on her to “hang in there,” she said.

“Witnessing our government indifference to the greatest injustice of our times, makes me question the direction the party is taking.”

She had earlier abstained from voting to support Labor’s attempt to amend the Greens motion to make recognition “part of a peace process in support of a two-state solution and a just and enduring peace”.

Anthony Albanese initially suspended her from sitting in caucus for the parliamentary fortnight, but he made the suspension indefinite when she appeared on Insiders on Sunday to say she would cross again.

Mr Albanese appeared to foreshadow her exit during question time on Wednesday, hinting she’s been planning her departure for weeks.

“Senator Payman, of course, has made a decision to place herself outside the Labor Party, that is a decision that she made,” he said.

“I expect further announcements in the coming days which will explain exactly what the strategy has been for more than a month.”

Mr Albanese’s decision was unanimously backed by caucus during a party room meeting on Tuesday.

Relations between the junior politician and her party appeared to sour on Monday when she released a statement claiming she had been “exiled” by her colleagues.

“I have been removed from caucus meetings, committees, internal group chats, and whips bulletins,” she said.

“I have been told to avoid all chamber duties that require a vote including divisions, motions and matters of public interest.”

Prior to her decision, senior ministers have denied accusations of intimidation or bullying, and said Senator Payman would be allowed back into caucus if she promised to respect ALP rules which state members must vote in unity.

Senator Payman had made several public statements in recent weeks in support of the Palestinian cause and criticised her party’s position in an opinion piece published in Al Jazeera.

The first term politician can now remain as a senator until her term ends in 2028. She was elected for a six-year role at the 2022 election, claiming the hard-to-win third Senate spot on Labor’s ticket for WA.