House debates
Tuesday, 2 July 2024
Questions without Notice
Payman, Senator Fatima
2:08 pm
Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
My question is to the Prime Minister. Last night Senator Fatima Payman released a statement claiming Labor members were 'attempting to intimidate me into resigning from the Senate'. On 7 November 2022 the Prime Minister said in this place, 'Everyone has the right to a safe and respectful workplace.' Prime Minister, what steps have been taken to investigate these claims of intimidation in Senator Payman's workplace?
2:09 pm
Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
They have very short memories over there. Last week the Leader of the Opposition was calling for Labor to take action against Senator Payman and was using the full suite of measures—
Milton DickAnthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
the full suite of insults and his usual plan to show how macho he is. All that language was there. You had to muscle up—that was his view.
Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
The fact is that, earlier today, the Caucus unanimously adopted a position that Senator Payman is more than welcome back, to participate in the team, if she agrees that she's part of the team. I had a very civil and constructive discussion with Senator Payman on Sunday—I invited her to the Lodge—and I had a very civil and constructive discussion with her last week as well.