Fatima Payman: Rebel Labor figure who dramatically betrayed Anthony Albanese chokes up with emotion talking about consequences of the decision

The first-term Labor senator who sensationally gave her views on Palestine became overcome with emotion as she revealed the consequences of her decision.

Fatima Payman, 29, risked being expelled from the Labor Party when she ‘conscience’ her support for a Greens motion on Palestine in the Senate on Tuesday afternoon.

In doing so, she went against her own party, just weeks after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reprimanded her for using the phrase “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

In conversation with 16-year-old journalist Leo Puglisi for 6NewsMs Payman admitted there had been “a mixed reaction” within the Labor Party to her decision. Mr Albanese had expelled her from the group meetings during this parliamentary session.

She said: ‘I have had many benefit checks from colleagues in both the House of Representatives and the House of Representatives.

“Many have supported my mental health and made sure I don’t feel alone” – before looking visibly emotional.

The first-term Labor senator who sided with the Greens and sensationally voted against her own party fought back tears as she revealed the consequences of that decision

Ms Payman indicated that there could be further consequences within the party.

“I have heard that there may be additional penalties… that is yet to be determined because a letter is going to the national secretariat,” she said.

Asked if she had any indication of what the future holds for her, Ms. Payman said, “I’ll wait until I read newspaper articles tomorrow morning.”

There has been mixed reaction within Labor to Ms Payman’s actions.

While some members are angry that she breached protocol and trust by entering the meeting, others are more concerned that her decision will anger their own constituents.

Ms Payman said she had heard from Labor voters across Australia who were disappointed that their own local member had not spoken out in support of Gaza.

MPs representing large parts of the Jewish population also question whether Ms Payman’s strong advocacy for Palestine will lead to them being punished by voters.

Senate Labor leader Penny Wong was critical of Ms Payman’s vote, saying it was “very rare for a Labor person to disrespect caucus solidarity”.

“I can understand that colleagues are angry. I can understand how they feel, because there is trust among colleagues as well. What I would say is that our expectation is that the senator will abide by the decisions of the caucus.

‘On this occasion the Prime Minister has shown restraint.’

Fatima Payman said she knew she would be expelled from the Labor Party if she chose to cross the floor

When push came to shove and the final vote on Greens Senator Nick McKim’s motion for ‘the Senate to recognize the State of Palestine’, Fatima Payman (right) was approached by crossbencher David Pocock (left). After a brief conversation, the two walked together to the Greens

Ms Wong pointed out that in 2008 and 2010 she “had to” vote against a Greens motion supporting same-sex marriage because the Labor Party formally opposed the party’s position at the time.

In March this year, Ms Wong married her wife, Sophie Allouache.

In the interview, Ms Payman claimed her colleagues had been given an “unfair judgement”.

Ms Payman described her vote as a “step towards recognising Palestine”.

She said she wanted to restore hope to our communities and show that we are listening.

“We were elected to stand up for our values… This is about justice, about doing the right thing, and about being on the right side of history.”

Mr Albanese revealed later in the week that Ms Payman would miss the next caucus meeting because of her actions, but the party has rejected calls to suspend or permanently remove her.

The moment that caused a political storm

Ms Payman chose to abstain from voting on the Greens’ motion on Tuesday afternoon. She stubbornly stayed in the back, behind the action, but in view of the journalists, as the debate continued.

But as the final vote on Greens Senator Nick McKim’s motion to ‘have the Senate recognize the state of Palestine’ went ahead, Ms Payman was approached by independent MP David Pocock.

After a brief conversation, the two walked together to the Greens.

There was a brief moment when it was unclear whether Ms. Payman would leave the room altogether or whether she had decided to vote. But then she sat next to Mr Pocock and directly in front of Senator Lidia Thorpe and cast her vote.