The independent Senator of Australia Fatima Payman filed a formal complaint with a parliamentary watchdog after her allegedly sexually suggestive and culturally insensitive notes during her official function.
The Afghan Senator, who made history as the first Member who wore a hijab in the Australian Senate, told the national operator ABC that his colleague “had too many drinks” when he made notes.
“He said,” Let’s get some wine into you and see you dancing on the table, “Payman, 30, telling.” I said to this colleague, “Hey, I draw a line, buddy,” and moved to a formal complaint. “
Payman, who does not consume alcohol because of his Muslim faith, described this comment not only as inappropriate but insulating. She said she felt focused on her cultural and religious beliefs during the incident.
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The complaint was filed with the parliamentary service service at the workplace (PWSS), an independent body established after the case of the case of the Brittany Higgins in 2021, which revealed deep rooted issues of sexual abuse, bullying and culture of excessive drinking in a parliamentary house.
In an interview with Triple J Hack on Wednesday, Senator Payman said that PWSS had reacted quickly and that she felt “for him and took care of” throughout the process.
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Who is Fatima Payman?
Payman, formerly a Senator of Labor, left the party in 2024 and criticized the government reaction to the conflict in Gaza. Since then, it has been voted on parliamentary reform and the need to adhere to respectful behavior, especially towards women and culturally diverse members.
While Payman appreciated the PWSS process, other senators, such as Lidia Thorpe, criticized him for the lack of transparency and efficiency and demanded stronger recovery mechanisms within the newly established independent parliamentary committee.
Early Life and Education
The Senator was born in 1995 in Afghanistan in Afghanistan and has since built a remarkable public service career. He holds an art bachelor and postgraduate diploma in pharmaceutical science at the University of Western Australia.
Career before politics
Before entering the parliament, she worked as an assistant to the Terrywhite Chemik from 2018 to 2020.
Parliamentary service
In 2022 she was elected to the Senate representing Western Australia. During her stay in Parliament she worked in several key committees, including:
Common Permanent Committees: Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade; Migration; Parliamentary library
Common Statutory Committee: Public Work
Legislative and general purposeful committees: environment and communication; Education and employment; Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade
Senate Selection Committees: Dental Services (Vice -President); Perth Mint; Australian resistance to disaster; Accepting artificial intelligence
Permanent Senate Committee: Chairman of the Committee on Publications
Association of sides and leading roles
Initially, she was elected as a member of the Australian Labor Party (July 2022 – July 2024), later served as independent and then joined the Australian voice side in October 2024. She worked as an independent whip (August 2024 – February 2025) and is currently an Australian voice whip.
Party and youth leadership
Her political involvement began soon. Served as:
Secretary of Multicultural Labor Branch (2019–2022)
An officer of justice and diversity for young work wa (2020)
President Young Labor WA (2021)
Personal life and recognition
He is unmarried and continues to be a defense counsel of diversity and integration. In 2022 it was recognized at national level as an Australian Muslim model of the year.
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