Australian Muslim Senator Alleges Colleague Urged Her To Drink, 'Dance On Table'
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A male colleague allegedly urged Fatima Payman to drink wine and "dance on the table" at an official function, she alleged.
Australian Muslim lawmaker Fatima Payman formally complained to a parliamentary watchdog after a male colleague allegedly urged her to drink wine and 'dance on the table" at an official function. Fatima Payman claimed that the incident occurred after her colleague had consumed 'too many drinks."
The 30-year-old senator does not consume alcohol, she stated, recounting to national broadcaster ABC that the older colleague said, 'Let's get some wine into you and see you dance on the table." She immediately told him, 'Hey I'm drawing a line mate," before lodging the formal complaint. The timing of the alleged incident and the identity of the colleague have not been disclosed.
Born in Afghanistan, Fatima Payman holds the distinction of being the first senator to wear a hijab in Australia's parliament after being elected in 2022 to represent Western Australia. Originally a Labor senator, Fatima Payman became an independent in 2024, citing disagreements with the government's stance on helping Palestinians in Gaza, and later founded her own political party, Australia's Voice, in October 2024.
She migrated to Perth with her family in 2003, with her father arriving by boat in 1999 as a refugee. Fatima Payman holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Graduate Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science from the University of Western Australia. Before her election to the Senate in 2022, she worked as a pharmacy assistant, an electorate officer and an organizer for the United Workers Union.
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