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Australia’s First Hijab-Wearing Senator Speaks Out: “Let’s Get Some Wine Into You” Comment Sparks Complaint
In a bold stand against inappropriate behaviour in political spaces, Australian senator Fatima Payman has filed a formal complaint after a male colleague allegedly made sexually suggestive and culturally insensitive remarks to her during a work-related social event. The 30-year-old lawmaker, who made history as Australia’s first hijab-wearing senator, shared her story in an upcoming ABC Radio interview, revealing that the colleague, who appeared to be intoxicated at the time, told her: “Let’s get some wine into you and see you dance on the table.”
Culture, Religion, and Respect
For Fatima Payman, a devout Muslim who does not consume alcohol, the comment was not just offensive—it felt deliberately inappropriate. “I don’t drink and I don’t need to be made … to feel left out because you do,” she stated.
Rather than letting it slide, the Western Australia senator took immediate action. “I told this colleague, ‘Hey, I’m drawing a line, mate,’” she said, before formally lodging a complaint with the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service (PWSS)—an independent body set up after the Brittany Higgins case to handle workplace misconduct in Parliament House.
Generational Shift
Australia Hijab-Wearing Senator Fatima Payman sees her response as part of a broader movement among younger politicians determined to challenge toxic behaviour and change the culture in Canberra.
“Being clear is being kind,” she said. “You actually are helping somebody understand what your boundaries are by speaking up.”
Her comments reflect a growing trend among Gen Z lawmakers who are no longer willing to normalise inappropriate conduct in the corridors of power. “Young people aren’t afraid of calling things out and who aren’t afraid of being visible,” she added.
From Labour Defection to Founding a Party
Senator Fatima Payman has already proven she’s no stranger to standing her ground. In 2024, she left the Labour Party after defying the leadership and crossing the floor to support a Greens motion advocating for Palestinian statehood.
After a brief stint as an independent, she launched her own political party, Australia’s Voice, in October 2024, signalling her commitment to inclusive, values-driven politics.
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Rising Political Force
Born in Kabul in 1995, Fatima Payman migrated to Australia and worked as a pharmacy assistant and union organiser before entering politics. Her journey from migrant to parliamentarian earned her the Australian Muslim Role Model of the Year award in 2022.
With her latest action, Fatima Payman continues to set new standards for accountability and representation in Australian politics. She said she was “satisfied” with how swiftly and seriously her complaint was handled, praising the PWSS for its professionalism.
As Parliament continues to reckon with its history of misconduct and exclusion, Fatima Payman’s story is a powerful reminder that representation alone isn’t enough—culture must change too.
