Fatima Payman alleges older colleague made sexually suggestive remark toward her at work event

Fatima Payman has dropped a bombshell claim about an older male colleague at a work-related event.

Senator Fatima Payman has alleged an older male colleague targeted her with sexually suggestive and racial comments during a work event. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Fatima Payman has alleged an older male parliamentary colleague targeted her with sexually suggestive and racial comments toward during a work-related social function.

The Labor-turned-independent senator said the colleague “had too many drinks” and made comments such as “let’s get some wine into you and see you dance on the table.”

In addition to being sexually suggestive, Senator Payman said the comments made her feel “left out” as a Muslim.

“I don’t drink and I don’t need to be made … to feel left out because you do,” she told the ABC, referring to the colleague.

“It definitely wasn’t appropriate.”

Senator Fatima Payman has alleged an older male colleague targeted her with sexually suggestive and racial comments during a work event. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Senator Payman said she “told this colleague, ‘Hey, I’m drawing a line, mate,’” before going on to lodge a formal complaint with the Parliamentary Workplace Support System.

“Being clear is being kind,” she said.

“You actually are helping somebody understand what your boundaries are by speaking up.”

She did not reveal the outcome of that complaint but said she was happy with PWSS’ “swift” handling of the matter.

“Being looked after and taken care of by the Parliamentary Workplace (Support) Service was really, really good,” Senator Payman said.

Originally published as Fatima Payman alleges older colleague made sexually suggestive remark toward her at work event