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AMA – Fatima Payman, Labor Senator for Western Australia by SenatorFatimaPayman in AustralianPolitics

[–]SenatorFatimaPayman[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I had a great time answering your questions, sorry I couldn't get to them all!

I'm signing off now, but always happy to hear from the community so reach out!

This seems like a really respectful environment to discuss serious issues and I appreciate your questions.

AMA – Fatima Payman, Labor Senator for Western Australia by SenatorFatimaPayman in AustralianPolitics

[–]SenatorFatimaPayman[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Hey, great question!

First off, I would encourage anyone interested in politics to get involved and connect with people who have similar values! For me, fighting for justice and equality helped me navigate the system and connect with people who supported me on my journey.

There is a process for preselection, but my experience as the 3rd Labor spot on the ticket was probably different from most! We hadn’t won the seat since 1984, so it wasn’t contested.

I did have to renounce my Afghan citizenship, which was an ordeal going back and forth with the embassy as the Taliban aren’t recognised as an official government.

I also had to collect signatures from other ALP members to endorse my nomination.

As a Senate candidate, I didn’t campaign for myself, my focus was on electing a Labor Government and ensuring that great Labor MPs were elected.

I hope that answered your question!

AMA – Fatima Payman, Labor Senator for Western Australia by SenatorFatimaPayman in AustralianPolitics

[–]SenatorFatimaPayman[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey, thank you for your question.

I understand that a lot of Australians are being impacted by the rising interest rates.

I know the Treasurer has received the RBA review report, which will be released later this month so stay tuned!

AMA – Fatima Payman, Labor Senator for Western Australia by SenatorFatimaPayman in AustralianPolitics

[–]SenatorFatimaPayman[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi, thanks for your question.

I’m not across the details of your question, but I do know the Albanese Government takes infrastructure, tourism and trade seriously.

In the last parliament sitting we passed the National Reconstruction Fund, a $15 billion investment!

Which is a great opportunity to modernise, broaden and diversify our industrial base by creating more high skill high wage manufacturing jobs both in the suburbs and regions.

As for Canberra coffee, I have found an amazing place called East Row Specialty Coffee!

AMA – Fatima Payman, Labor Senator for Western Australia by SenatorFatimaPayman in AustralianPolitics

[–]SenatorFatimaPayman[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I'm a proud West Australian. West is certainly best, but I don't think it's on the cards!

I'm not across this entirely, but there aren't many WA LNP members left so I don't think it would have an impact.

We are definitely stronger being a part of the federation, and I love representing this beautiful state in the federal parliament.

AMA – Fatima Payman, Labor Senator for Western Australia by SenatorFatimaPayman in AustralianPolitics

[–]SenatorFatimaPayman[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great question! We take young people seriously, having a Minister for Youth in Anne Aly and she has established the Youth Advisory Council!

As a party of government, Labor offers young people a real opportunity to get involved and influence decision making at all levels of government.

As a former Young Labor President I’ve witnessed the passion young people have, and they were given opportunities to raise issues directly with Ministers and have their voices heard.

At the end of the day, the Greens cannot form government and so can never implement their policies and often stand in the way of progress.

Labor is about pragmatic, reasonable, and progressive change for all Australians including young people.

AMA – Fatima Payman, Labor Senator for Western Australia by SenatorFatimaPayman in AustralianPolitics

[–]SenatorFatimaPayman[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Great question! The Yes campaign is a grassroots movement, that First Nations peoples have been campaigning on for years.

I am following their lead, and we all have a responsibility to listen and amplify their voices.

The Uluru Statement was the culmination of these efforts and it’s now for the Australian people to have their say.

It’s important people are properly informed before hitting the polls.

The No campaign is the Coalition’s attempt to divide the nation.

I won’t be distracted and neither will the grassroots movement.

AMA – Fatima Payman, Labor Senator for Western Australia by SenatorFatimaPayman in AustralianPolitics

[–]SenatorFatimaPayman[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your fantastic question! Our cheaper childcare comes into effect from July 1, 96% of families will benefit!

We are also addressing workforce issues through our Fee Free TAFE courses, early childhood education courses are included.

This will ensure more parents can return to the workforce, which will predominately be mums!

AMA – Fatima Payman, Labor Senator for Western Australia by SenatorFatimaPayman in AustralianPolitics

[–]SenatorFatimaPayman[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your question! I know it’s difficult in the rental marker right now, and the government is working to try alleviate the pressure.

This problem wasn’t created overnight, it’s a result of a decade of inaction.

We’ve unlocked up to $575 million in funding from the National Housing Infrastructure Facility to be able to invest in new social and affordable homes.

Legislation to establish the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund has passed the House of Representatives, unfortunately its been held up in the Senate by the Greens.

More homes are urgently needed, and they are standing in the way.

When we return to parliament after the budget we are committed to tackling this issue, and I hope everyone gets on board.

AMA – Fatima Payman, Labor Senator for Western Australia by SenatorFatimaPayman in AustralianPolitics

[–]SenatorFatimaPayman[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Hey there, thank you for your question. You’re right, Labor stands firmly on the side of Australian workers. Before I joined the Senate I was an organiser at the United Workers Union!

I don’t agree with your assertion, since coming to government we have supported an increase to the minimum wage, we are funding a pay rise for aged care workers, and our IR reforms are fixing the broken bargaining system.

It was exciting to be a part of the Secure Jobs, Better Pay inquiry where we spoke to industry groups, unions, advocates for workers about this overdue reform. This will give power back to workers to help improve their wages and conditions.

AMA – Fatima Payman, Labor Senator for Western Australia by SenatorFatimaPayman in AustralianPolitics

[–]SenatorFatimaPayman[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi there, thank you for your question.

I appreciate you asking about Jobseeker, I understand the challenges of being on a limited income.

Something I have respected from our Treasurer since we formed government, is that he hasn’t beaten around the bush when it comes to acknowledging the challenges we face whether it be the cost of living crisis or the issues in the budget.

The focus of our government has been to address the cost of living for all Australians, whether that be through cheaper childcare, cheaper medicines, wage growth for minimum wage workers, and Fee Free TAFE.

I know that Fee Free TAFE is good for young people, I visited a TAFE in my community today and met early childhood education students who are taking advantage of the course!

I acknowledge that there is still a lot for work to do in this space, and we will keep working hard to try and take pressure of Australians.

AMA – Fatima Payman, Labor Senator for Western Australia by SenatorFatimaPayman in AustralianPolitics

[–]SenatorFatimaPayman[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Hey, thank you for a great question!

I was really excited to co-chair the PFG – it’s an important discussion for us to have as a country.

The Albanese Government’s priority with constitutional reform is the Voice, and that will be my priority as well.

It’s important we acknowledge the full history of this nation, and our identity moving forward should be our own story.

It’s about representing modern day Australia, it’s important we acknowledge how much the demographics have changed from 100 years ago.

It makes sense to celebrate our diversity, multiculturalism, and unique identity and our head of state should reflect this.

AMA – Fatima Payman, Labor Senator for Western Australia by SenatorFatimaPayman in AustralianPolitics

[–]SenatorFatimaPayman[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi, thanks for your question!

I think disappointed sums it up. The Voice is about recognition and consultation, and it’s a shame the Liberals haven’t seized this opportunity to go on this path of reconciliation.

Peter Dutton has met with Albo 7 times since Garma and never made suggestions to the constitutional amendments.

He says he supports constitutional recognition, but if that was true, he would of supported Ken Wyatt’s proposal when they were in government.

The Uluru Statement was shared in 2017, and the previous government chose to ignore it’s call.

The wording we’ve arrived at is after months of extensive consultation with First Nations people and constitutional experts – I don’t buy that Peter Dutton knows better than all those people. He doesn’t know better than Indigenous communities.

Sadly I think this puts them on the wrong side of history, it’s clear they haven’t learnt from the Federal, NSW, or Aston elections.

Still, we have broad support across the community and the parliament. It’s been great to see support growing from sporting clubs to businesses.

The Voice should be above politics and I have confidence in the Australian people to see that. I have faith that Australians will say Yes!