Senator Fatima Payman’s defection to the crossbench has caused major damage to the government. And she isn’t done yet,either.
Rebel senator Fatima Payman has quit the Labor Party after creating a political firestorm with her decision to vote against the government over recognising Palestinian statehood.
Mystery still surrounds why Senator Fatima Payman mounted her one-woman rebellion.
The young senator’s decision to cross the floor and to later speak out against her party bears all the hallmarks of a carefully co-ordinated plan,according to Labor figures.
It’s understood Fatima Payman intends to make a statement about her future on Thursday and announce a formal split from Labor.
The personal view of a young Muslim senator faces off with the oldest requirement of would-be ALP politicians,a written contract to observe the collective.
Rogue Labor senator Fatima Payman is being advised by controversial election strategist Glenn Druery.
The prime minister’s remarks came hours after senior minister Bill Shorten extended an olive branch to Payman,saying she could come back into the fold later.
The prime minister and the young Muslim senator are at loggerheads as Payman says she has been told to resign.
It was Fatima Payman’s third strike against caucus solidarity,but Labor is likely to face blow-back from Muslim Australians.
The decision was made after an explosive TV interview given by the senator on Sunday morning.