Senator Fatima Payman was stumped when asked directly whether she thought the October 7 attack on Israel was an act of “terrorism or resistance.”
Payman appeared on the ABC’s 7.30 show on Wednesday night, hours after announcing her new political party – ‘Australia’s Voice’.
The senator, who represents Western Australia, resigned from the Labor Party and joined the crossbench in July due to irreconcilable differences with the party over the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The 7.30 presenter, Sarah Ferguson, asked him how he would describe Hamas’s actions on October 7 last year, following the first anniversary of the attack.
‘In your opinion, were the actions of Hamas that day an act of terrorism or an act of endurance?’ -Ferguson asked.
After an initial pause, Ms Payman said the question “decreases the Palestinian plight”.
“I have condemned what happened on October 7 and the atrocities… the loss of any human life must be condemned,” said Ms Payman, who was wearing a badge with the combined Aboriginal and Palestinian flag.
‘Any form of violence against civilians must be condemned, and we must recognize that the Palestinians and now the Lebanese community are suffering, but so are the Israeli communities.
Senator Fatima Payman appeared on the ABC’s 7.30 show on Wednesday night, hours after announcing her new political party – ‘Australia’s Voice’.
“And it’s about how to make sure we raise awareness, but at the same time not isolate one group and pit one group against another.”
Ferguson asked if Israel had a “right to self-defense” following the Hamas attack on October 7.
“We have heard from the ICJ (International Court of Justice) and the ICC (International Criminal Court) that, as an occupying power, as an occupying people, Israel has no right to claim self-defense,” Ms. Payman responded.
“Again, I am not a humanitarian lawyer or an expert, but from what I have seen and understood, Israel’s atrocities and the genocide it continues to impose on the people of Palestine and which is now crossing the borders must be denounced and Australia, as friendly country of Israel, should play a stronger and bolder role.’
Early in the interview, Ms. Payman was repeatedly pressed about what her policies would be in her new political party.
She dodged the question several times and gave vague answers, while Ferguson continually asked her to be “specific” about what she wanted to achieve.
“Australia’s Voice will be a party about inclusion, about being brave and bold, about being pragmatic, about listening to Australians and finding local solutions to those local problems,” Ms Payman said.
Payman (pictured with Anthony Albanese) dug into the Labor Party while speaking to Sarah Ferguson on Wednesday night.
“In the coming days we will formalize our party platform and Australia’s Voice will talk to people on the ground and formulate a very well thought out policy platform.”
Payman added that he would love to appear again at 7:30 once he finalizes his policies.
Ferguson also grilled the senator on why she chose the name Australia’s Voice, given that the first anniversary of the failed Voice to Parliament referendum was just days away.
Payman said she came up with the name of the party herself after a conversation with her husband.
He was then asked if the timing of his announcement was appropriate given the proximity of the referendum anniversary.
‘Yes, it is very unfortunate that the Voice The referendum failed and the elderly that I I have been talking to they have told me They are surprised that their indigenous situation and affairs right now they are much worse than They were before the referendum,’ he responded.
Ferguson interrupted to say the question revolved around the word “Voice” and asked who he consulted with before choosing the title.
Payman declined to name any specific Indigenous elders he had consulted with, but said he had spoken to “community elders, community groups and so many people on the ground.”
The senator, who represents Western Australia, resigned from the Labor Party and joined the crossbench in July due to irreconcilable differences with the party over the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
‘No one owns the word ‘Voice’. There is a program on television called La Voz,” he said, referring to the Channel Siete program.
‘Sor for me it was about covering something that is inclusive and involves everyone Australians’ voices must be heard.
‘Unlike the Labor Government, we will not put Indigenous issues and issues in the too-difficult basket.
“We will be consulting, talking and raising awareness.”
It comes after Indigenous Australians, including gold medalist and former Labor senator Nova Peris, criticized Ms Payman for using the term “Voice”.
“Many of our mob are in mourning, many Jewish Australians are in mourning, and she chooses today to throw around this totally insensitive party name,” Ms Peris said. The Australian.
‘It is incredibly disrespectful and a complete misappropriation of yet another aspect of the history and emblems of my people. The Australian Labor Party gave Payman a voice. This rebel senator has misappropriated that privilege in a self-titled manner.
‘It is not a voice of nor for Australians. Certainly not indigenous Australians, Jewish Australians or any Australians with moral clarity.