According to ABC News, Western Australia state senator Payman made a statement regarding his party following his indefinite suspension. Payman announced that he was resigning from the Labor Party and noted that he would continue his duties as an independent. Payman emphasized that he made this decision due to disagreements and pressures within the party and stated that “he continues to believe in the principles of the Labour Party, but he does not see any middle ground that would allow him to remain in the party.”
He was pressured even though he received support
Payman stated that while he has received great support, there is also pressure on him within the party. Payman said that on the day he supported the Green Party’s motion to the Senate to recognise Palestine as a state, “the Labour Party made it clear that they did not want to sit next to him” and that they forced him to answer.
The Removal Process
The Green Party’s move to recognise Palestine as a state was rejected for the second time on June 25 in Australia. Payman, who took office in 2022 and became the country’s first headscarf-wearing senator, was the only Labor senator to support the movement and was banned from attending the caucus meeting in early July because of her support. The party announced on June 30 that Payman’s right to attend caucuses had been suspended indefinitely by Australian Prime Minister and Labor Party leader Anthony Albanese.
