
'Drink wine and dance on table': Australian Senator Fatima Payman calls out senior male colleague's remark
AP photo
Australian senator Fatima Payman has formally complained that an "old male parliamentary colleague" asked her to drink alcohol and dance on the table during an official function.
ABC News's Triple J Hack program first reported the news, quoting Payman as saying the colleague said, 'let's get some wine into you and see you dance on the table.' Payman, who is a Muslim and does not drink alcohol, viewed the comment as sexually suggestive and culturally offensive.
She said that the incident took place at a work-related event where the male colleague "had had too many drinks." 'I don't drink and I don't need to be made … to feel left out because you do,' she said.
She added that she drew a clear boundary at the time, telling the colleague, 'Hey, I'm drawing a line, mate.'
"Being clear is being kind. You actually are helping somebody understand what your boundaries are by speaking up," she added. Payman further proceeded to file a formal complaint through the parliamentary workplace support service.
She has since spoken positively about the way the PWSS handled her report. 'Being looked after and taken care of by the parliamentary workplace supports service was really, really good,' she said.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
M.Tech. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning For Working Professionals.
BITS Pilani WILP
Apply Now
Undo
Elected in 2022 as a Labor senator for Western Australia, Payman left the party in 2024 after defying party lines to support a Greens-led motion recognising Palestinian statehood.
In the 2022 Australian federal election, Payman was elected to the Australian Senate as a senator for Western Australia. She became the third youngest senator in Australian history. Payman is the first Muslim woman to wear a hijab in the Australian parliament.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


News18
11 minutes ago
- News18
US, Chinese officials to meet in London next week for new round of trade talks
Agency: PTI Last Updated: Washington, Jun 6 (AP) Senior US administration officials will meet with a Chinese delegation on Monday in London for the next round of trade negotiations between Washington and Beijing, President Donald Trump said Friday. The meeting comes after a phone call between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday, which the US president described as a 'very positive" conversation as the two countries attempt to break an impasse over tariffs and global supplies of rare earth minerals. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will represent the US side in the trade talks. 'The meeting should go very well," Trump wrote on his social media platform Friday afternoon. (AP) GSP


United News of India
18 minutes ago
- United News of India
India, Central Asian nations condemn Pahalgam attack, reaffirm commitment to fighting against terrorism
New Delhi, June 6 (UNI) India and the five Central Asian countries today unequivocally condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, and reaffirmed their firm commitment to fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. In a joint statement, issued after the 4th meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue held in New Delhi today, under the chairship of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, the countries reiterated that providing safe haven, using terrorist proxies for cross-border terrorism, terror financing, arms and drugs trafficking, dissemination of a radical ideology and abuse of cyber space to spread disinformation and incite violence, goes against the basic principles of humanity and international relations. They stressed that perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of terrorist acts must be held accountable and brought to justice. In this context, they called for early adoption of the UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. They also stressed the need to strengthen UN-led global counter-terrorism cooperation and fully implement the relevant UNSC resolutions, Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and FATF standards. The participating ministers at the dialogue include: FM Sirojiddin Muhriddin of Tajikistan, Deputy PM and FM Murat Nurtleu of Kazakhstan, FM Zheenbek Kulubaev of Kyrgyz Republic, FM Rashid Meredov of Turkmenistan and FM Bakhtiyor Saidov of Uzbekistan. The Ministers appreciated the First meeting of the India-Central Asia Joint Working Group on Chabahar Port held in Mumbai in April 2023. India welcomed the interest of Central Asian countries to utilise the services of the Shahid Beheshti Terminal, being operated by India, at the Chabahar Port for facilitating their trade with India and beyond. They agreed to continue engagement for further developing the transit and transport potential of their countries, through simplification and streamlining of goods transit procedures, including greater use of TIR Carnet between India and Central Asia for movement of goods. The ministers underlined the importance of greater financial connectivity between India and Central Asian countries, including through digital payment systems, enhanced interbank relations, and trade in national currencies to encourage greater trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people exchanges. They also expressed interest in setting up a Joint Working Group to explore ways to further deepen banking and financial connectivity between India and Central Asian partners. The Ministers emphasised optimum usage of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) to enhance connectivity between India and the Central Asian countries. They stressed that connectivity initiatives should be based on the principles of transparency, broad participation, local priorities, financial sustainability, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. India reiterated its support for the membership of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in INSTC. In this context, Ministers appreciated the initiative taken by Kazakhstan to develop the eastern branch of INSTC. The Ministers noted the importance of holding regular consultations among the National Security Councils of India and the Central Asian countries to strengthen efforts to counter terrorism and other emerging challenges in the region. They looked forward to the third edition of the Consultations to be held in the Kyrgyz Republic. They also expressed interest in joint exploration of rare earth and critical minerals. Appreciating the outcomes of the first India-Central Asia Rare Earth Forum held in September 2024 in New Delhi, they called for holding the second India-Central Asia Rare Earth Forum meeting at the earliest convenience. They also encouraged exchange of delegations to explore new areas of cooperation in critical minerals. Earlier, EAM Jaishankar in a post on X said he expressed India's appreciation of the Central Asian partners condemning the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam. 'Delighted to chair the 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue in Delhi this morning. 'Thank my Central Asian colleagues DPM & FM Murat Nurtleu, Deputy Chairman & FM Rashid Meredov, FM Zheenbek Kulubaev, FM Sirojiddin Muhriddin and @FM_Saidov for their assessments and views. 'Expressed India's appreciation on Central Asian partners condemning the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam. 'Held productive and wide-ranging discussions on themes of connectivity, regional security & terrorism, technology cooperation, development partnership and people-to-people exchanges. 'Confident that our deliberations today would lead to forging an even closer and deeper India-Central Asia partnership.' UNI RN


Time of India
20 minutes ago
- Time of India
A month after Operation Sindoor's start, 2 trains send message to Pakistan
KATRA: PM Narendra Modi on Friday sought to rally people of Jammu and Kashmir against terrorism, saying Pakistan targeted the UT's tourism industry to cripple the livelihood of poor Kashmiris and accused the hostile neigbour of attacking both humanity and Kashmiriyat in Pahalgam, where terrorists had killed 25 tourists. Addressing a public gathering after flagging off two Vande Bharat trains between Katra and Srinagar, and launching other development projects, he said, "Our neighbouring country is against humanity, against harmony, against tourism... Pakistan attacked both humanity and Kashmiriyat in Pahalgam. Their intention was to incite communal riots in India..." Addressing his first public meeting in J&K after the Pahalgam massacre and Operation Sindoor , Modi said Pakistan's deliberate attack on tourists hurt local workers, including horse riders, porters, guides, guest house owners, and shopkeepers, aiming to destroy their livelihoods. "Terrorists also killed Adil, (pony ride operator) who challenged them. He too had gone there to work hard to take care of his family," Modi said. Modi said the hostile neighbour carried out brutal attacks, which the world witnessed, when it destroyed homes, bombed schools and hospitals, and shelled temples, mosques, and gurdwaras. He lauded the resilience of the people of J&K. "The youth of J&K have now made up their mind to give a befitting reply to terrorism, which burnt schools in the Valley and destroyed the future of two generations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Due to terrorism it also became a big challenge for the public to choose representatives of their choice and hold elections," he said. "The atmosphere of development which has been created in J&K is not going to halt due to the Pahalgam terror attack. If anyone tries to create an obstruction in the way of the youth fulfilling their dreams, then that obstacle will have to face Modi first," the PM said. He recalled that exactly one month ago, on the intervening night of May 6-7, India had executed Operation Sindoor, delivering a decisive blow to Pakistan-based terrorists and terror camps. "Whenever Pakistan hears the name of Operation Sindoor, it will be reminded of its humiliating defeat," he said.