TRANSCRIPT
A standard procedure in the Senate.
"Say Aye, aye. Against, no. I believe the noes have it. Division required ring the bells for one minute."
Anything but normal in this case.
A Labor politician crossing the floor to vote in favour of a Greens motion, introduced by Senator Mehreen Faruqi.
"I've moved the Greens motion that in the opinion of the Senate the following be a matter of urgency. The need for the Senate to recognise the state of Palestine."
West Australian Senator Fatima Payman broke party ranks, joining the Greens and Independent David Pocock in the vote.
Labor tried to amend the motion to reflect the party position, but ultimately voted against it with the Coalition.
Ms Payman says it was a challenging thing to do.
"My decision to cross the floor was the most difficult decision I have had to make, and although each each step I took across the Senate floor felt like a mile, I know I do not put the steps by myself. And I know I did not walk them alone. I walked with the West Australians who have stopped me in the streets and told me not to give up. I've walked with the rank and file Labor Party members who told me we must do more."
Under party rules MPs and Senators risk expulsion if they vote against Labor policy - which in this instance supports a Palestinian state, but as part of a peace process towards a two-state solution.
And it doesn't happen often - Senator Payman is the first Labor politician to cross the floor since 1986.
She says her future is up to Labor.
"That is the prerogative for my party. I believe that I have upheld the party ethos and called for what's the party's platform."
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles says Payman still has a place in the party.
"Look, there's no mandated sanction in this circumstance and it's actually not unprecedented. We will handle this in a mature way and the way in which we are being guided in terms of how we are handling it is really about how we've been tackling the issue of social cohesion within this country since October 7. We want to bring Australians together and we want Australians to see a government that is living that. And we don't do that by going around expelling people because they have particular views on this issue."
Deputy Liberal Leader Sussan Ley says the move shows failings of the Prime Minister's leadership.
"Big test for the Prime Minister's leadership last night when we had Labor senators on both sides of the debate on the floor of the Senate. What weak leadership, it is so weak. And since October the seventh, that's what we've seen from this Prime Minister on this important issue."
Calling for clarity on the Labor Party's position.
"What is Labor's position? Have they unilaterally changed the previously bipartisan position for a two-state solution? Senator Payman crossed the floor, broke caucus solidarity. That's a green light for any Labor member or Senator, that if they feel strongly enough about something, if their conscience dictates to them strongly enough about something, they can cross the floor too."
Under Liberal Party rules, backbenchers are allowed to cross the floor.
Labor Senator Anthony Chisholm says the party's position is for a two-state solution.
"We know that the only way to break the cycle of violence, the only way to adjust an enduring peace is through a peace process leading to a two state solution. A Palestinian state, and the State of Israel living side by side in peace and security within internationally recognised borders."
It's not the first time Senator Payman has publicly protested against Labor policy, last month accusing Israel of ‘genocide’, and making a veiled criticism of the Prime Minister.
Ms Payman says she will continue to advocate for what she believes is right.
"I was not elected as a token representative of diversity. I was elected to serve the people of Western Australia and uphold the values instilled in me by my late father. Today I have made a decision that would make him proud, and make everyone proud who are on the side of humanity."
