Rogue Labor Senator Fatima Payman’s ‘talks’ with strategist advising Labor’s opponents ‘clearly not’ acceptable, says PM

The Prime Minister has clashed with ABC host Sarah Ferguson over his handling of the rogue Labor senator who voted against the party.

Anthony Albanese says it will be up to rogue Senator Fatima Payman if she remains in the party by the end of the week, declaring it is “unacceptable” for her to be speaking with Labor’s political opponents during a fiery interview.

The Prime Minister is facing another leadership test over Ms Payman amid revelations she received advice from a political strategist helping a grassroots Muslim campaign challenge Labor MPs, as the Greens consider a new pro-Palestine motion to test the suspended Senator.

Mr Albanese said it was a “decision for her” when asked by ABC 7.30 presenter Sarah Ferguson if the West Australian would still be in the Labor Party by the end of the parliament week after claimed she had been “exiled” after crossing the floor to back a Greens’ motion recognising Palestinian statehood.

“I would like to see her rejoin the team and that option is certainly available to her, the PM said.

Ms Ferguson asked: “But as we sit here, it’s acceptable for you, for someone to be talking to your opponents?”

Senator Fatima Payman has been suspended from the Labor caucus. Picture: NewsWire

“Well, clearly, it’s not acceptable, which is why Senator Payman has been suspended from participation in the caucus,” Mr Albanese said.
Ms Payman was a no-show in parliament on Tuesday after her Labor colleagues unanimously endorsed her indefinite suspension from the federal caucus at a meeting that morning.

The party agreed Ms Payman could return to their ranks if she showed “respect” for caucus, with Mr Albanese declaring the Labor team was the most “united” he had ever experienced.

But it can be revealed the PM has been aware since Sunday that Ms Payman had sought advice from a political expert famed for helping aspiring minor party politicians win Senate seats.

Mr Albanese shrugged off criticism his initial “restraint” in sanctioning Ms Payman was a “weakness,” instead declaring it a “strength”.

ABC 7.30 host Sarah Ferguson. Picture: ABC.

The PM’s boast could be tested as soon as Wednesday, with the Greens considering introducing another motion recognising Palestinian statehood in an attempt to emphasise Ms Payman’s split from Labor.

The move would increase pressure on Mr Albanese to seek to have Ms Payman expelled from Labor permanently, and comes amid revelations the West Australian senator had informal talks with “preference whisperer” Glenn Druery.

Political strategist Glenn Druery confirmed he had spoken informally to suspended Labor Senator Fatima Payman. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Mr Druery, who is best known for helping Australian Motoring Enthusiast Party candidate Ricky Muir secure a Senate seat in 2013, on Tuesday confirmed he had spoken with Ms Payman.

In a statement Mr Druery said he was initially contacted by members of the Muslim community in Sydney seeking advice on “questions related to electoral strategy”.

“This community group requested that I have an informal conversations with Senator Payman, which I have done in recent days,” he said.

An alliance of Muslim groups is planning to run candidates against Labor MPs in key Western Sydney seats, aiming to capitalise on community anger against the government’s response to the war in Gaza.

Meanwhile, a source has confirmed Mr Albanese found out about Mr Druery’s contact with Ms Payman on Sunday, the same day he suspended her.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s leadership is once again being tested by the saga surrounding Senator Fatima Payman. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Mr Albanese said Ms Payman had clearly not just started considering her options in the last 24 hours, noting the junior Senator would not have appeared on ABC’s Insiders program because she was just “walking past the studio on Sunday”.

“I asked for an explanation of why, or what the motivation of that was, I haven’t received one,” he told 7.30.

Mr Albanese said Ms Payman’s suspension from caucus was “unfortunate,” and rejected suggestions Labor was at risk of losing support from Australian Muslim voters over his response to Israel’s invasion of Gaza.

“I think overwhelmingly Australians don’t want conflict here,” he said.

Labor Senator Fatima Payman is embraced by Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek during a parliament event on Monday. Picture: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

Mr Albanese said Labor’s “principled” stance on the Middle East conflict included supporting a two-state solution, condemning the humanitarian toll in Gaza and calling for Hamas to release all Israeli hostages.

Senator Fatima Payman crossed the floor to support a motion on Palestinian statehood last week. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Ms Payman’s claim she had been “exiled” and intimidated by her colleagues was rejected by multiple senior Labor figures, with Finance Minister Katy Gallagher saying “I know pretty closely how hard everyone has tried to support” her.

“I don’t agree with the comments in her statement yesterday because that is not the experience I’ve had individually or that I’m aware of with others over the past month or so,” she said.

“I’ve been in as much contact as I can. I’ve offered to have a cup of tea with her.”

But Greens leader Adam Bandt said Labor’s decision to sanction Ms Payman was “shameful”.

“Labor should stop putting pressure on Senator Payman,” he said.

Mr Bandt said his party would introduce another motion on Palestinian statehood in the lower house when parliament sits in August, and would not rule out doing the same in the Senate as early as Wednesday.

Coalition home affairs spokesman James Paterson blamed the ongoing saga on Mr Albanese’s delayed reaction to Ms Payman’s decision to cross the floor last week.

Originally published as Rogue Labor Senator Fatima Payman’s ‘talks’ with strategist advising Labor’s opponents ‘clearly not’ acceptable, says PM