The former Labour senator, now an independent, sets her sights on marginal seats and a potential candidate in PM Anthony Albanese’s own electorate

Fatima Payman, an independent senator who left the Labor Party in July over its stance on Palestinian statehood and the Israel-Hamas war, is preparing to launch her own political party. In a bold challenge, Payman has hinted at targeting marginal seats in the upcoming federal election and even suggested running a candidate in Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s electorate of Grayndler.

Payman, 29, rejected Albanese’s call for her to resign from the Senate and contest the next election under her new party’s banner, asserting that her political influence would be tested in the federal contest. “This new party will be tested not just in WA but across the nation,” she told SBS News, signalling an ambitious national strategy.

Despite not being up for re-election until 2028, Payman plans to field Senate candidates across all states and is eyeing lower house seats, with a focus on progressive voters disenfranchised by the major parties. Payman’s platform is expected to focus on key issues such as cost of living, housing, and climate change, similar to the progressive “teal” independents who have reshaped Australian politics in recent years.

Her departure from Labor and subsequent move to the crossbench came in response to what she described as a disconnect between the party’s stance on international issues and her own values. However, her new political party is not expected to be religion-based but instead appeal to voters seeking an alternative to the traditional political landscape.

Albanese has so far remained silent on Payman’s challenge, but the senator’s remarks signal a confrontational approach to the next election: “This will be a full-body contact competition, bring it on!”

Payman’s official party launch is scheduled for later this week, and with the next federal election looming, her campaign promises to inject a fresh dynamic into the political landscape.