Fatima Payman announces Australia’s Voice first candidate

A Greens candidate has spectacularly quit to join Fatima Payman’s new Australia’s Voice party and lead its Victorian Senate ticket.

A Greens candidate has spectacularly quit to join Fatima Payman’s new Australia’s Voice party and lead its Victorian Senate ticket.

Muslim community worker Mohamed El Masri was endorsed by the Greens to contest the federal seat of Calwell, in Melbourne’s north, at the upcoming election.

But Mr El Masri has resigned to run for former Labor Senator Fatima Payman’s venture, after seeing the way she had stood up for human rights.

“I leave the Greens with deep appreciation for their work, but joining Australia’s Voice gives me an even greater opportunity to serve the people of Victoria, and focus on the issues that matter most like tackling cost-of-living, fixing the housing crisis, and standing up for human rights,” he said.

“Standing against apartheid fighting to defend against oppressive governments is what is required during this time.

“Labor’s refusal to take any real action or stand while providing cover while the Israel Defense Forces has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians is a betrayal of our community.”

Senator Fatima Payman. Picture: Martin Ollman

Mr El Masri’s is the first candidate announced for Australia’s Voice.

Senator Payman said it was a “huge first step” for the party, which will be trying to secure the sixth Victorian Senate spot from the Liberals.

“The Major Party Mafia have controlled the lives of Australians for too long, and I have complete confidence in Mohamed’s ability to hold the major parties accountable and take decisive action on the issues that matter most to Victorians,” she said.

The Greens are next week expected to preselect nurse Ravneet Garcha, who is of Indian heritage, as their candidate for Calwell.

“Calwell needs improved infrastructure that meets the needs of the community,” Ms Garcha said.

“I want to be a strong independent voice fighting for renters, getting dental into Medicare and Palestine. Together we can turn Calwell Green, keep Peter Dutton out and get Labor to act.”

Originally published as Fatima Payman announces Australia’s Voice first candidate