Australian Senator Fatima Payman complained to a parliamentary watchdog after a male colleague allegedly urged her to drink wine and dance on the table.
According to the media reports, the Muslim lawmaker in Australia — who said she does not drink alcohol — claimed the older colleague made a series of inappropriate remarks after he had too many drinks at an official function.
Australian Senator Fatima Payman said that the male colleague said: “Let’s get some wine into you and see you dance on the table. I told this colleague, ‘Hey I’m drawing a line mate’, and moved on to making a formal complaint.”
Also read: Anmol Bishnoi arrested in California
The timing of the alleged incident and the identity of the colleague remain unclear. Payman, born in Afghanistan, is noted by local media as the first senator to wear a hijab in Australia’s parliament.
In 2021, Brittany Higgins, a former political staffer, accused a colleague of raping her in a parliamentary office, sparking nationwide protests. A subsequent review revealed that Australia’s parliament was plagued by excessive drinking, bullying, and sexual harassment.
Independent Senator Payman split from the left-leaning Labor government in 2024 after accusing it of failing to help Palestinians in Gaza. This bold move has sparked significant debate and discussion across the political spectrum. Many are questioning what this means for the future of the Labor party and its stance on international humanitarian issues. Senator Payman’s decision highlights a growing divide within political factions regarding foreign policy and human rights advocacy. As the situation in Gaza continues to evolve, the implications of this split could have lasting effects on both domestic and international relations.
