Muslim Australian lawmaker claims colleague urged her to drink, dance

Muslim Senator Fatima Payman revealed Wednesday she has lodged a formal complaint against a male colleague following alleged inappropriate remarks at an official function. 

The 30-year-old Australian senator claims the older lawmaker, who she said had "had too many drinks," urged her to consume wine and "dance on the table."

Speaking to national broadcaster ABC, Payman recounted the alleged incident, stating the colleague told her: "Let's get some wine into you and see you dance on the table." As a Muslim, Payman does not consume alcohol.

"I told this colleague, 'Hey I'm drawing a line mate', and moved on to making a formal complaint," she told the ABC.

It was not clear when the alleged incident occurred or who the colleague was.

Born in Afghanistan, Payman is the first senator to wear a hijab inside Australia's parliament, according to local media.

Former political staffer Brittany Higgins in 2021 alleged she was raped by a colleague inside a parliamentary office, triggering protests across the country.

A scathing review later found Australia's parliament was rife with heavy drinking, bullying and sexual harassment.

Independent Senator Payman split from the left-leaning Labor government in 2024 after accusing it of failing to help Palestinians in Gaza.