Banished Labor Senator Fatima Payman grows increasingly isolated within party but finds support outside

Labor senator Fatima Payman drew heavy fire from her colleagues on Monday morning after she was banished from the federal party for her defiance over Palestine. Senator Payman has maintained her choice to vote last week for a Greens motion on Palestinian recognition was consistent with the Labor party's platform, which regards recognition as "an important priority" and endorses a two-state solution. Labor Party rules require all elected members to vote for the party's agreed position on all parliamentary matters, unless the caucus decides a free "conscience" vote is allowed. Payman 'indefinitely suspended' from Labor Party caucus Photo shows Senator Fatima Payman with hand on her mouth at Environment estimates committee Labor senator Fatima Payman has been "indefinitely suspended" from the Labor Party caucus by the prime minister after a series of defiant actions regarding her support for Palestine. Resources Minister Madeleine King, the most senior West Australian in the government, said "solidarity" was central to the Labor Party's operations.