Courage in public office and Australia’s recognition of Palestine
Dec 6, 2024
“No room for robust debate” within ALP caucus. “There is so much courage that Australia could exercise. We could come out and be the real champions of human rights, and human life, that we claim to be – especially within the Labor party.” High profile Senator Fatima Payman and former Labor Senator Margaret Reynolds discuss courage in public office, Australia’s recognition of Palestine, Australia’s Voice, and the difficulties of standing up for one’s principles within a party political system.
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Read excerpts from the transcript:
Fatima Payman: “What had happened during the Rudd/Gillard saga had scarred us to the extent that we will not voice any views of dissent within the caucus room because there is potential that it may sow seeds of division,” says Senator Fatima in an exclusive interview with Senator Margaret Reynolds for Pearls & Irritations.
“There were instances where certain members would get up to say something, and before you know it, it was leaked to Sky [News] and there was all this information that was leaking out of caucus room. So there was no confidentiality. And it felt bizarre to me as a first term MP or Senator to try to find out – alright well here are what our members want. Surely there is a way we can accommodate their wishes. I mean we spent all this time going through national conference. The whole process of getting members there, debating, coming to resolutions – it’s part of the party platform… So why not act on it?
“And that’s what I didn’t quite understand. And when it came to the recognition of the State of Palestine, it’s been in our party platform since 2018, it just felt like there was no room for that conscience vote. It felt like it was toe the party line and stay within the caucus, or give up your seat. And it just felt like – you can’t want diversity within your party room, within your representation as a government, but then when this representation has a view that may be different to the rest of the Caucus, that you use every lever under the sun to try to corner them and give them as minimal options to conform.
“You know, I did feel there was moments when, yes, my diversity was celebrated – that I was sent to five international delegations as a first term backbench senator, to places like Indonesia, Malaysia, Bahrain… South Korea, and Rwanda, and you should have seen the expression on people’s faces when they learnt that I was a Senator for Western Australia and not the secretariat.
“So it did show that people where opening up and realising that on an international scale that Australia is progressing. Australia is walking the talk. But then it came to internal workings of the party, and I felt like we hadn’t evolved as a party to reflect our modern Australia, to reflect our modern times. And that’s what really disappointed me. And I think that should the Labor Party want to continue down the route that it is, they really need to review the conscience vote element. Because I think it would be paramount for anyone to join the party to have that freedom to vote with their conscience should the time call for it.
“I’m not saying that you should haphazardly just vote for whatever within your conscience, but there are certain things based on your faith, based on your belief system, based on your own values that you just cannot compromise on. …”
“The right path is not always the easiest. But it’s always worth it.”
…
Margaret Reynolds: “What would be your immediate decision to try to protect Palestinians in the coming weeks as an Australian Minister, knowing the limits on Australian Minister – that they cannot literally stop the war that’s going on. What would be your priority if you were sitting in that chair [as Foreign Minister], and you could call your head of department, and say: this is what we must do.”
Fatima Payman: In terms of what I would do as Foreign Minister, is review our international legal obligations as a middle power. As a very successful multicultural democracy. To be an example for the region by ensuring that any decision that’s made, it is within our humanitarian international obligations. That when it comes to the ICC and the ICJ, that there is unequivocal respect and submission to what decisions are made at a higher court – that there is respect there, but also that there is parity when it comes to valuing human life, that it’s applied across the board, regardless of who the victims are, and regardless of who the transgressor or the perpetrator is.
“I sometimes say that if the State of Israel is such a close friend and ally to Australia… Well, if your friend was doing something wrong, wouldn’t it be an obligation on you to hold your friend back and say, hey – this isn’t right. You’re crossing lines here. You’re crossing boundaries. And you would stop them.
“And I just think there is so much courage that Australia could exercise. We could come out and be the real champions of human rights, and human life, that we claim to be – especially within the Labor party. As proud as they can be, it’s important that they deliver on all those commitments that they have made in the past.
“And so I think returning humanity back into politics, and ensuring that as Australia, as a sovereign nation, we exercise our individuality and do what is in our national interest. Not follow suit after another nation, who may have their own agendas. Because at the end of the day, what is going on on our shores is a problem that we will have to address. That is within our remit to fix. Not what’s happening somewhere else far away. But if something like the genocide in Gaza is impacting our constituents and our people here on our shores, we need to do something about it instead of contributing to it. Instead of putting our hands up and saying hey, we will supply coal to Israel, just saying – maybe we will put a pause to this. Maybe until there is an investigation that’s thorough and gives closure to Zomi Frankcom’s family, we will pause all forms of trade with this country.
“So I think there were many opportunities for the government to come out and be the true champions of human rights. But I think it was that lack of courage and foresight that held them back. And it’s just unfortunate because a lot of people are just disappointed. They are not even mad anymore. They are just disappointed.”
For more on this topic, Pearls & Irritations recommends:
Music credit: Orbiting A Distant Planet – by Quantum Jazz.
Fatima Payman
Fatima Payman, Senator for Western Australia, recently launched her political party, Australia’s Voice. Raised in Perth’s northern suburbs, she now serves as a strong voice for Western Australia in Canberra. As an Australian Muslim with cultural roots from Afghanistan, her father's journey as a refugee and his tireless work ethic inspired Fatima's values of hard work and perseverance.
As Australia’s youngest politician, Fatima is not afraid to speak her mind through bold and fearless advocacy. Dedicated to holding the government accountable, Fatima passionately represents the interests of Western Australians, ensuring their voices are heard in the corridors of power. With a commitment to transparency, integrity and justice, she is driven by a deep care for WA and an unwavering resolve to make a positive impact.
Margaret Reynolds has a long commitment to the peace movement dating back to the Anti-Vietnam Moratorium to current advocacy against militarism as National President of Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom.(Australia )
She was a Labor Senator for Queensland 1983-1999 and a member of Bob Hawke’s Ministry 1987-1990. She taught Human Rights and International Relations at University of Queensland 1999-2004 and has worked with a number of international non-government organisations.
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