Fatima Payman Will Not Be Expelled From Labor For Crossing The Floor

Deputy Prime Minister of Australia Richard Marles said Fatima Payman will not be expelled from Labor for crossing the floor.

On Tuesday, Ms Payman crossed the floor, voting in support of a Greens motion to recognise Palestine as a state.

“Fatima Payman has expressed her view on this issue. She obviously has very strong [views] there’s no intention to see any consequences in relation to that … she’s not about to be expelled,” Mr Marles said.

“This is not a moment to be going around punishing people. Since October 7, we have seen, obviously, a very complex issue, but a complete human tragedy play out in the Middle East.

“We want as a government, but I think across the country, all of us as Australians need to be doing everything we can to be bringing people together in this moment.

“Now’s not a time to be going around expelling people because they’re expressing particular opinions.”

Ms Payman said she had not informed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, or Foreign Affaird Minister Penny Wong of her decision.

The last time a Labor MP crossed the floor was former Tasmania MP Harry Quick back in 2005.

Prior to that, Senator George Georges in 1986 and MP Graeme Campbell in 1988 where both suspended for crossing the floor.

Labor requires all its parliamentarians to support collective decisions or face expulsion from the party, unlile the Coalition which allows backbenchers to cross.

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