Labor senator in Australia who backed motion to recognize Palestine suspended from party caucus

Fatima Payman's suspension comes after earlier this week she became 1st politician since 1986 to cross floor in support of motion

By Serdar Dincel

ISTANBUL (AA) - Fatima Payman, a senator from Australia's ruling Labor Party, has been "indefinitely suspended" from the party caucus after she backed a motion to recognize Palestine as a state earlier this week.

Payman had been suspended after a conversation with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the official residence Lodge, she confirmed to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

The motion was moved in the Senate by lawmaker Mehreen Faruqi, the deputy leader of the Australian Greens party.

A young senator from Western Australia, Payman crossed the floor and supported the motion.

It is the first time a Labor politician has crossed the floor since 1986, to support any motion, while the party was in power.

However, the motion has been blocked by the Labor-led government.

Last month, the Australian parliament's House of Representatives also blocked a similar attempt by the Greens to recognize a Palestinian state with five votes in favor and 80 against.

Kaynak:

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