Finance Minister Katy Gallagher says it is “pretty clear” to her newly independent senator Fatima Payman had been considering leaving the Labor party for some time.
In an earlier interview on Radio National, Payman said she did not decide to leave the party until the day of her announcement, but Gallagher said this wasn’t the case.
“There was a series of decisions, there was certainly some pretty clear understanding that there was going to be a statement made on [sic] Thursday, people knew that before Thursday and that is what happened,” she said.
Senator Katy GallagherCredit: James Brickwood
“People will have their own versions of events, but it’s pretty clear to me that this has been considered for some time.”
Asked about reports in The Australian today that senior Labor figures are raising Payman’s Afghan citizenship as a risk to her remaining in the Senate because of the potential breach of section 44 of the constitution, Gallagher said she has no idea where the story is coming from.
“The ALP’s vetting processes are pretty tight these days, but I have no idea where that story is coming from,” she said.
Gallagher also conceded that passing legislation will be more difficult for the government now that Payman has moved to the crossbench.
“Instead of needing 13 votes to get our legislation or any matter dealt with in the Senate, we will now require 14. So yes, it will make that harder and I’m really sad that there are decisions being made to leave the Labor party,” she said.
“I think the caucus was hoping Senator Payman would stay but that hasn’t happened.”