Rules dating back more than 120 years binding Labor MPs to collective decisions are out of step with the views of younger politically savvy voters, who are motivated by individual issues, according to a former Labor official and top pollster.

The indefinite suspension of senator Fatima Payman from Labor caucus over her defiant advocacy for Palestinian statehood has highlighted the iron discipline Labor imposes on its MPs, compared to the Coalition, where members have a lot more freedom.