Western Australian senator Fatima Payman has resigned from the Australian Labor Party after she was suspended from the caucus.
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She leaves the party to represent Western Australia from the crossbench effective immediately, the senator said on July 4.
This comes after she vowed to continue crossing the floor in support of Palestinian statehood.
"Our actions must align with our principles. When history looks back, it must see that we stood on the right side of humanity, even when it was difficult," she said.
"Sadly, I do not believe our principles align with those of the leadership of the Labor Party. With a heavy heart but a clear conscience, I announce my resignation from the Australian Labor Party."
Questioning Labor's direction
Addressing the media she said "the ongoing genocide in Gaza is a tragedy of unimaginable proportions".
"It is a crisis that pierces the heart and soul, calling us to action with a sense of urgency and moral clarity.
"We have all seen the bloodied images of young children losing limbs, being amputated without anaesthetic, and starving as Israel continues its onslaught, live streamed across the world.
The senator said she was compelled to be the "true voice" of her constituents in the "diverse and vibrant communities of Western Australia".
"Unlike my colleagues, I know how it feels to be on the receiving end of injustice.
"My family did not flee from a war-torn country to come here as refugees for me to remain silent when I see atrocities inflicted on innocent people.
The Afghan-born Australian politician said she was deeply torn after "witnessing our government's indifference to the greatest injustice of our times"
It made her "question the direction the party is taking."
"On one hand, I have the immense support of the rank-and-file members, unionists, the lifelong party volunteers, who are calling on me to hang in there and to make change happen internally.
"On the other hand, I am pressured to conform to caucus solidarity and toe the party line."
Senator Payman said she had private conversations with the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and colleagues about recognising Palestine but got nowhere and was left with no other option.
The senator, who was elected in 2022, said she saw "no middle ground and my conscience leaves me no choice".
"I am here to be WA's voice, not just on this matter but various issues that Western Australians have raised with me, from incarceration rates of Indigenous people to locking up kids as young as 10-years-old.
"From the rising cost-of-living pressures to families living in cars and tents due to the housing crisis, from struggling to put food on the table and pay the bills to the climate crisis.
"These are all the issues that Western Australians care about.
"I have informed the Prime Minister that, effective immediately, I will sit on the crossbench to represent Western Australia."
She revealed colleagues had iced her out by not wanting to sit with her in the chamber and claimed some had stood over her.
Labor national president Wayne Swan said unity mattered and the West Australian's decision to put herself outside the party tent empowered their opponents.
Labor had consistently supported a two-state solution, he said.
Political fallout
Greens leader Adam Bandt branded the senator's action courageous while the opposition attacked the prime minister's leadership.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she had reached out to check on Senator Payman's welfare and mentioned a parliamentary support service was in place to make complaints about any bullying allegations.
Labor members have also said they had tried to reach out to the West Australian to no avail.
Silent and expressionless, Senator Payman sat through part of question time on the crossbench on Thursday.
Senator Payman has also been accused of making a political play after she admitted to meeting with a political strategist set up by a grassroots Muslim community group expected to target Labor seats.
The prime minister insinuated on Wednesday something had been in the works for over a month.
"It's not true," Senator Payman said, denying any affiliation or plans to join other political parties.