Australia’s first hijab-wearing senator says senior asked her to ‘drink, dance’; who is Fatima Payman?

Australia's Independent Senator Fatima Payman has lodged a formal complaint with a parliamentary watchdog after an older male colleague allegedly made sexually suggestive and culturally insensitive remarks to her during an official function.

The Afghan-born senator, who made history as the first parliamentarian to wear a hijab in the Australian Senate, told national broadcaster ABC that the colleague had “had too many drinks” when he made the remarks.

“He said: ‘Let’s get some wine into you and see you dance on the table,’” Payman, 30, recounted. “I told this colleague, ‘Hey, I’m drawing a line, mate,’ and moved on to making a formal complaint.”

Payman, who does not consume alcohol due to her Muslim faith, described the comment as not only inappropriate but isolating. She said she felt targeted for her cultural and religious beliefs during the incident.

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The complaint was filed with the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service (PWSS), an independent body established following the fallout of the Brittany Higgins case in 2021, which exposed deep-rooted issues of sexual misconduct, bullying, and a culture of excessive drinking within Parliament House.

In an interview with Triple J Hack on Wednesday, Senator Payman said the PWSS responded swiftly and that she felt “looked after and taken care of” throughout the process.
 

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Who is Fatima Payman?

Payman, previously a Labor senator, quit the party in 2024, criticising the government’s response to the conflict in Gaza. She has since been vocal about parliamentary reform and the need to uphold respectful conduct, especially toward women and culturally diverse members.

While Payman praised the PWSS process, other senators like Lidia Thorpe have criticised it for lacking transparency and effectiveness, calling for stronger enforcement mechanisms within the newly established Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission.

Early Life and Education

Born in 1995 in Kabul, Afghanistan, the senator migrated to Australia and has since built a remarkable career in public service. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Graduate Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science from the University of Western Australia.

Career Before Politics

Before entering Parliament, she worked as a pharmacy assistant at TerryWhite Chemist from 2018 to 2020. She also served as an electorate officer and later as an organiser for the United Workers Union, gaining grassroots political and community experience.

Parliamentary Service

She was elected to the Senate representing Western Australia in 2022. During her time in Parliament, she served on multiple key committees, including:

Joint Standing Committees: Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade; Migration; Parliamentary Library

Joint Statutory Committee: Public Works

Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing Committees: Environment and Communications; Education and Employment; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade

Senate Select Committees: Dental Services (Deputy Chair); Perth Mint; Australia's Disaster Resilience; Adopting Artificial Intelligence

Senate Standing Committee: Chair of the Publications Committee

Party Affiliations and Leadership Roles

Initially elected as a member of the Australian Labor Party (July 2022 – July 2024), she later served as an Independent and then joined the Australia's Voice party in October 2024. She served as Independent Whip (Aug 2024 – Feb 2025) and is currently the Australia's Voice Whip.

Party and Youth Leadership

Her political involvement began early. She served as:

Secretary of the Multicultural Labor Branch (2019–2022)

Equity and Diversity Officer for Young Labor WA (2020)

President of Young Labor WA (2021)

Personal Life and Recognition

She is married and continues to be an advocate for diversity and inclusion. In 2022, she was recognised nationally as the Australian Muslim Role Model of the Year.