Senator Fatima Payman Files Complaint Over Inappropriate Remarks by Male Colleague at Official Event
Australia’s first hijab-wearing federal lawmaker, Senator Fatima Payman, has filed a formal complaint against a male colleague, alleging he made inappropriate remarks during an official function. The incident, now under review by a parliamentary watchdog, highlights ongoing concerns over workplace culture within the nation’s federal institutions.
Speaking to ABC News on Wednesday, the 30-year-old senator revealed that the incident occurred after the older colleague had consumed alcohol. He allegedly encouraged her to drink and made an offensive remark, saying:
“Let’s get some wine into you and see you dance on the table.”
“I told this colleague, ‘Hey, I’m drawing a line, mate,’” Payman stated, adding that she proceeded to file an official complaint shortly after the incident.
While the exact date and identity of the accused have not been made public, the matter has been escalated for formal investigation. The senator, who was born in Afghanistan and immigrated to Australia as a child, is a devout Muslim and has been open about her faith, including her abstention from alcohol.
This development comes amid ongoing scrutiny over workplace behavior in Canberra. In 2021, the Australian parliament faced national outrage following rape allegations by former political staffer Brittany Higgins, prompting an inquiry that uncovered a culture of excessive drinking, bullying, and sexual misconduct.
Senator Payman’s complaint is expected to reignite debate over parliamentary standards and the need for comprehensive cultural reform within federal institutions.
Previously affiliated with the Labor Party, Payman now serves as an independent senator, having resigned from the ruling party in 2024 in protest over its stance on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
As of Tuesday evening, neither the parliamentary watchdog nor Payman’s former party colleagues have issued public comments on the matter.
