Senator Fatima Payman was perplexed when asked directly whether she considered the October 7 attack on Israel to be an act of “terrorism or resistance”.
Ms Payman, 29, appeared on ABC's 7.30am show on Wednesday night, hours later announcing her new political party – 'Voice of Australia'.
The senator, who represents Western Australia, resigned from the Labor Party and joined the caucus in July due to irreconcilable differences with the party over the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
She was asked by 7:30 host Sarah Ferguson how she would describe Hamas' actions on October 7 last year, following the first anniversary of the attack.
'In your opinion, it was Hamas' actions that day an act of terrorism or an act of resistance?' Ferguson asked.
After an initial pause, Ms. Payman stated that the issue “reduces the Palestinian situation.”
'What happened on October 7th, I condemned and the atrocities… the loss of any human life must be condemned,' Payman said.
«Any form of violence against civilians must be condemned and we need to recognize that the Palestinians and now the Lebanese community are suffering, but also the Israeli communities.
Senator Fatima Payman appeared on ABC's 7:30 show on Wednesday night, hours after announcing her new political party – 'Australia's Voice'
“And it's about how do we make sure we're raising awareness, but at the same time we're not isolating one group and pitting one group against another.”
Ferguson asked whether Israel had a “right to self-defense” following the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas.
'We heard from the ICJ [International Court of Justice] and the ICC [International Criminal Court] that, as an occupying power, occupying a people, Israel has no right to claim self-defense,' replied Ms. Payman.
'Again, I am not a lawyer or humanitarian expert, but from what I have seen and understood the atrocities committed by Israel and the genocide it continues to impose on the people of Israel, Palestine and now the border crossing needs to be actioned and Australia , as Israel's friend, must play a stronger and bolder role.'
At the beginning of the interview, Ms. Payman was repeatedly pressed on what her policies would be in her new political party.
She avoided the question several times and gave vague answers, while Ferguson continually asked her to be “specific” about what she wanted to achieve.
“Voice of Australia will be a party about inclusion, about being brave and bold, about being pragmatic, about listening to Australians and finding local solutions to these local problems,” Payman said.
Ms Payman (pictured with Anthony Albanese) criticized the Labor Party while speaking to Sarah Ferguson on Wednesday night
'In the coming days we will formalize our party platform and Voice of Australia will speak to people on the ground and formulate a very well thought out policy platform.'
Ms. Payman added that she would love to appear again at 7:30 p.m. once she has finalized her policies.
Ferguson also grilled the senator about 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 suggested the party's name after a conversation with her husband.
He was then asked whether the timing of his announcement was appropriate given the approaching anniversary of the referendum.
'Yes, it's a lot regrettable that the Voice The referendum failed and the elders I I was talking to them, they told me that they are shocked that their indigenous situation and affairs at the moment they are much worse than they were before the referendum,' she replied.
Ferguson interrupted to say that the question revolved around the word 'Voice' and asked who she consulted before choosing the title.
Ms Payman declined to name any specific Indigenous elders she had consulted with, but said she 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 caucus in July due to irreconcilable differences with the party over the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas
'Nobody owns the word 'Voice'. There’s a show on TV called The Voice,” she said, referring to the Channel Seven show.
'Soh for me this it was about encompassing something that is inclusive and involves everyone Australian voices must be heard.
'Unlike the Labor government, we will not put Indigenous issues and Indigenous affairs in everyone else's basket.
'We will be consulting, talking and raising awareness.'
It comes after Payman was criticized by Indigenous Australians, including gold medalist and former Labor Senator Nova Peris, for using the term “Voice”.
“So many of our crowd are in mourning, so many Australian Jews are in mourning, and she chooses today to throw out this totally insensitive party name,” Peris told 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 dishonest senator misappropriated this privilege in a self-entitled manner.
'It is not a voice of, or for, Australians. Certainly not Indigenous Australians, Jewish Australians or any Australians with moral clarity.
