Early profiles of West Australian Senator Fatima Payman — Parliament’s first hijab-wearer, first Afghan Australian, and youngest member — feel somewhat prescient.
The union organiser and community leader hadn’t expected to win in 2022; a red wave saw her elected from the usually unwinnable third spot on the WA Labor ticket. But the comments given by the newly elected Payman now seem prophetic, foreshadowing those she made last week after crossing the floor on a Greens motion to recognise the state of Palestine — a position that aligned with the ALP platform, but went against its binding parliamentary caucus.
“I hope to be an inspiration to many other young Australians,” the Afghan refugee told Guardian
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