Australia
First Afghani-Australian Senator Fatima Payman Alleges Harassment by Colleague, Files Official Complaint. enator Fatima Payman, the first Afghani-Australian and hijab-wearing Muslim woman in the Australian Parliament, has lodged a formal complaint against a male colleague, alleging inappropriate behavior during an official function.
Speaking to ABC News, the 30-year-old senator described an unsettling encounter where a senior male parliamentary colleague, reportedly under the influence of alcohol, urged her to drink wine and “dance on the table.”
“I told this colleague, ‘Hey, I’m drawing a line, mate,’ and moved on to making a formal complaint,” Payman said, emphasizing the need for higher standards of professionalism and respect in parliamentary spaces.
While the identity of the accused MP and the date of the incident remain undisclosed, Payman’s action brings renewed attention to issues of misconduct within Australian political institutions.
A Call for Cultural Shift
Payman’s complaint follows growing public concern over inappropriate behavior in Parliament. In 2021, former political staffer Brittany Higgins alleged she was raped by a colleague inside a minister’s office—an accusation that sparked nationwide protests, demanding reforms and safer workplace environments in Parliament.
The parallels between Payman’s experience and Higgins’ case have reignited discussions around workplace safety, particularly for women in government.
Fatima Payman’s Inspiring Journey
Born in Kabul, Afghanistan in 1995, Fatima Payman is of Tajik and Uzbek heritage. Her maternal grandparents hailed from Uzbekistan, and her grandfather once served in the Afghan parliament. At age five, her family fled Taliban persecution to Pakistan, and her father later sought asylum in Australia in 1999. He worked multiple jobs to eventually reunite the family in Perth in 2003.
Payman excelled academically, becoming head girl at the Australian Islamic College in Perth in 2013. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Sociology and a Graduate Diploma of Pharmaceutical Science from the University of Western Australia. Before entering politics, she worked as a pharmacy assistant at Terry White Chemists.
A History-Making Senator
In 2022, Payman made history as the first hijab-wearing Muslim woman and the first Afghani-born Australian to be elected to the Senate, representing Western Australia. She left the Labor Party in 2024, citing its inadequate support for Palestinians during the Gaza conflict.
Payman continues to use her platform to advocate for inclusivity, accountability, and dignity in government.
Support Grows for Parliamentary Reform
Advocacy groups and public figures have voiced support for Senator Payman, calling her actions brave and necessary. “This isn’t just about one comment—it’s about creating a culture where women feel safe, respected, and heard,” said one supporter.
The parliamentary conduct committee is now reviewing her complaint. If proven, it may prompt wider reforms in how misconduct is addressed within the political sphere.
