Since the resignation of Senator Fatima Payman,fretting about identity politics has become a renewed national sport. Now it’s the frame through which all political actions must pass.
The senator,who quit the ALP last week over the Albanese government’s stance on the war in Gaza,will appear at an event with a NSW Labor MP this month.
Labor’s Peter Khalil has become the first MP to push back against claims made by a burgeoning pro-Palestinian political movement aiming to unseat Labor politicians.
The now-independent WA senator has chosen performative identity politics over Labor Party solidarity. But her next decision could have even more profound implications for Australian politics.
Fatima Payman has given up her chance to challenge the way Labor Party democracy currently works,and that’s a pity.
The senator’s passionate politics renders compromise unpalatable. The last thing Australia needs is this type of politics.
Fatima Payman was a quiet backbencher for her first two years in the Senate. But for the past six weeks the former union official has become a household name.
Payman said “stay tuned” and “anything can happen” when asked if she wanted to collaborate with a coalition of Muslim community groups planning to run against Labor MPs.
The premier has warned against any move to “smash up” the state conference,and put his own MPs on notice about party solidarity.
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.