When Fatima Payman crossed the Senate floor to vote against her government she knew it would come with consequences.
The Australian Labor party has strict penalties for those who undermine its collective positions, and acts of defiance can lead to expulsion - a precedent with a 130-year history.
The last time one of its politicians tested the waters while in power was before Ms Payman was born.
But last Tuesday, the 29-year-old did just that - joining the Green party and independent senators to support a motion on Palestinian statehood.
Australia is a Commonwealth nation so they follow the Westminster style … the same as Britain, Canada, etc. Senators would not be elected, they are appointed, and act as a check on Parliament.
The Australian federal election senate ballot paper would like a word. Senators are popularly elected in Australia. You’re thinking of the UK, where the “upper house” AKA “House of Lords” are appointed. And until recently, some of the positions were hereditary. If you were the first son of “Lord Blatherskate”, you would become Lord upon his death, and proceed to occupy his seat in the House of Lords.
Thanks! I was pretty sure the Australian senate was elected, and was hoping for confirmation.
My mistake. I believed that because Oz is a Commonwealth nation their system of gov’t would be the same as Canada’s. But Australia has a mix of UK Westminster style and US Congress style. They do still have a Governor General who represents the monarchy tho.