Australian Senator Fatima Payman, known as the first woman in federal parliament to wear a hijab, has taken a bold step by lodging a formal complaint after a male colleague allegedly made inappropriate and disrespectful comments toward her at an official event.
In a candid conversation with ABC News, the 30-year-old independent senator revealed that the incident happened during a function where her male counterpart, described as older and visibly intoxicated, made a crude remark encouraging her to drink alcohol and dance.
“He told me, ‘Let’s get some wine into you and see you dance on the table,’” Payman said. “I told him clearly, ‘I’m drawing a line here, mate,’ and immediately took steps to report the behavior.”
Though she has chosen not to name the colleague or specify the date of the incident, the matter is now under review by parliamentary ethics authorities.
Payman, who immigrated to Australia from Afghanistan as a child, is a devout Muslim and has consistently upheld her personal and religious values in public life—including abstaining from alcohol. Her presence in Australian politics has broken barriers and brought much-needed representation to communities often left out of mainstream narratives.
This latest development brings renewed focus to the persistent problems of inappropriate behavior, sexism, and toxic culture in Australia’s political institutions. The nation is still reckoning with the aftermath of multiple scandals, including the 2021 allegations of sexual assault in Parliament House that sparked protests and a wave of public demand for accountability.
Senator Payman’s stand adds urgency to ongoing calls for cultural reform within Parliament. Her experience, while deeply personal, reflects a wider issue of workplace misconduct that continues to impact women and minorities in political and professional spaces.
Now sitting as an independent after parting ways with the Labor Party in 2024 over its stance on the Gaza humanitarian crisis, Payman continues to be a strong voice for justice, equity, and accountability.
As of now, no official response has been issued by parliamentary authorities or the lawmaker in question. But Payman’s willingness to speak up sends a clear message: Parliament must do better.
