Senator Fatima Payman should be applauded not punished for her principled stance

We elect our politicians with the expectation that they uphold the best of our values. We expect them to stand on principle and act accordingly. For over 8 months, the Australian Government has failed to meet this expectation.

More concerning is that Senator Fatima Payman who voted in the Senate in accordance with values and principles has been shunned by her party and suspended. All this despite the stressing that the values which guided her decision to cross the floor and vote to support a motion recognising the state of Palestine, are core Labor Party values.

Not to mention that the Senate motion is consistent with the Labor Party's official commitment to recognise Palestine.

The Senate motion whilst not an official government announcement sends a powerful message domestically and internationally that elected representatives will no longer accept the status quo.

Instead, what message is the Australian Government sending to young women of colour who are often silenced and ignored? What message is the Australian Government sending to the Muslim and Palestinian communities who feel increasingly disrespected and unrepresented?

Senator Payman represents the diversity of Australia. She is also one of the very few members of Parliament who echo the views of the millions of Australians that have been calling for an end to the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people and for Israel to be held to account.

Over 40,000 Palestinians have been murdered in Israel's genocidal assault on Gaza. The Australian government cannot justify its moral complicity and lack of action any longer.

Said ICV board member Sarah Baarini: "Senator Payman is most definitely not walking alone. We are all walking with her. It is time the Australian Government does the same."