An unknown politician until 2022 and virtually unknown until as late as January 2024, Fatima Payman is the toast of political pundits, particularly since she crossed the floor to join the Greens’ motion to recognize the state of Palestine. She has appointed Glenn Druery her chief of staff.
Now, every political commentator whether left or right, is looking at her while she eyes the biggest of jobs down under. Will it be the Greens voters to deliver Australia its first Muslim Prime Minister?
No matter how implausible it may seem, the answer is, hypothetically YES.
In recent weeks, the ongoing war in Gaza has played a significant role in shaping the politics here in Australia, particularly, the spectacular falling out of Senator Fatima Payman and the Albo camp. Not even the ‘kid glove’ treatment by the Labor party of the rebel senator was enough to dissuade her from leaving the party and show how weak the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was against the rising star politician who many emulate with gusto among the migrant communities in Australia.
Add to this – the new political group – the Muslim Vote who have shown excellent dexterity in mobilizing their grassroots members, are now getting ready to challenge the political equilibrium down under.
Many on the right have written them off as another cloud which will blow away, without much political rain. I believe their analysis is poorly conceived.
In my view, if those at the forefront are shrewd enough to unite for the Muslim vote, pushing the young voters going (mostly Green) to cross party lines (if and when needed), we may not only see ‘raining cats and dogs’, we may be hit with hail of tennis ball size.
The Greens, who started it all, with what their critics would call a political stunt, a resolution to recognize the state of Palestinian, may have to lick their own wounds come election result of 2025. Having seen the success of the Muslim vote movement in the recent British elections, the Greens are now pleading with the Muslim vote to leave the seat of Wills and the Senate, practically for them to fight off Labor.
The Fatima Frankenstein (figuratively speaking) they managed to create to hurt Labor, has come back to haunt them. So, it should.
Showing the way to other migrant groups, the hardworking Muslim vote, mostly made up of migrant background, by all means, should themselves take charge and sit at the wheel to wield power.
While I would not have done the way Senator Fatima Payman has done her politics in the recent four weeks, her unparalleled display of courage of her convictions, may well become a perennial source of inspiration to others in the migrant communities aspiring to choose the business of politics.
Yes, ‘business’ because, whether we like it or not, politics today is a little different to just serving the nation.
Nation is no longer first. Remember taxpayer paid Sarah Ferguson lecturing Peter Dutton telling him ‘putting Australia first’ was not Australian?
If politicians are there not for Australia but for themselves, then why only single out Fatima Payman for claiming $310 a night to stay in her own apartment in Canberra?
Have we forgotten major party politicians doing the same or similar things, some even allegedly staying in the backyard of a colleague’s property?
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese did not want Australia to have faith-based parties. The question is – why not?
If he has the answer, convince Australia and perhaps legislate against it.
But before that, Albo should tell his own colleagues, those being targeted by the Muslim vote, to be ready to sacrifice their political careers for the country. And perhaps his own as well now that he has accidentally reached the pinnacle.
On the other hand, Senator Fatima Payman and Senator Mahreen Faruqi may well join hands to lead the migrant power in Canberra. Others will follow. And who knows, we may see Mahreen Faruqi or Fatima Payman (or someone of their cohort) as the first Muslim prime minister of Australia. They only have to follow song book of Indian politician Nitish Kumar, who despite being the leader of a small party than the BJP, has always been the chief minister. A trip to Bihar may also be in order for Fatima Payman, Mahreen Faruqi. Those will be interesting times in Australian politics.
Their fans will only have to thank the Greens and their leaders Adam Bandt and David Shoebridge, for their (mis)adventure in the politics of the middle east.
Similar Posts by The Author:
- Dr TJ Rao OAM, a legend will live on
- Dowry harassment in Australia? Report it in Australia NOT in India says Punjab and Haryana High Court
- International Students: Why Australia doubled Visa application fees
- False promise of marriage: Courts should ensure law is not misused against men
- Hats off to Asaduddin Owaisi, to invoke Palestine in oath-taking