How I vote
I believe in good policy, not party politics. Every bill deserves to be judged on its own merits, and I vote according to what will improve people’s lives. Unlike members of the major parties, I am never told how to vote.
My independence allows me to collaborate when it leads to better outcomes, and to stand firm when a proposal does not serve our community. Progress comes from cooperation, not division, and my focus will always be on creating laws that make a real difference.
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Release documents on eSafety Commissioner’s legal expenditure
Voted to require the Government to release documents about the eSafety Commissioner’s legal spending
Senator Payman moved a Senate order requiring the Government to table communications and records relating to the eSafety Commissioner’s expenditure on legal proceedings, including ministerial submissions, briefing notes, emails and meeting minutes created after 1 January 2025. Documents were required to be tabled by 5 pm on 18 March 2026. The Senate agreed.
- My vote
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Yes
- Outcome
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Pass
- Proposed by
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Release withheld documents on Government’s AI policy
Voted for the Government to release a list of documents withheld about its artificial intelligence policy
Senator Payman’s motion addressed the Government’s refusal to provide documents previously requested under Order No. 314, after the Minister for Industry and Innovation made a public interest immunity claim over Cabinet deliberations. The motion required the Government to provide a detailed list of withheld documents — including title, date and type — so the Senate could assess whether the Cabinet confidentiality claim was justified, by midday on 19 March 2026. The Senate agreed.
- My vote
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Yes
- Outcome
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Pass
- Proposed by
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Release data on environmental approval timelines affecting housing projects
Voted to release data on how EPBC Act approval timelines affect housing projects
Coalition motion seeking to compel the Environment Minister to table documents showing how long approvals take under the EPBC Act, expected timelines under proposed reforms, and how many housing developments were awaiting approval before and after the August 2025 Economic Reform Roundtable. Payman voted in favour. The motion was defeated 32 to 28.
- My vote
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Yes
- Outcome
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Fail
- Proposed by
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Release internal briefing on Scott River Wind Farm approval decision
Voted to release the internal briefing behind the Scott River wind farm referral decision
One Nation motion requiring the Environment Minister to table the referral decision brief for the proposed Scott River Wind Farm in Western Australia under the EPBC Act — the internal document used when deciding whether a project requires federal environmental assessment. Payman voted in favour. The motion was defeated 31 to 27.
- My vote
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Yes
- Outcome
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Fail
- Proposed by
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Add dedicated Senate estimates hearings on Indigenous policy and the Murray–Darling Basin
Voted to add dedicated Senate estimates hearings focused on Indigenous policy and the Murray–Darling Basin
Senator Payman’s motion proposed adding two cross-portfolio Senate estimates hearings on 29 May and 30 October 2026, specifically focused on Indigenous matters and the Murray–Darling Basin Plan. The Government opposed the motion, citing existing estimates time already allocated to First Nations issues. The motion was defeated 31 to 26.
- My vote
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Yes
- Outcome
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Fail
- Proposed by
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Release communications about Kevin Rudd’s departure as US Ambassador
Voted to release communications about the departure of Kevin Rudd as Ambassador to the United States
Senator Payman successfully moved an order requiring the Government to table communications — including ministerial submissions, briefing notes, emails and meeting records — between the Minister for Foreign Affairs, DFAT, and Dr Kevin Rudd or his office, concerning the circumstances of his early departure from the ambassadorial role. Documents required by 5 pm on 20 March 2026. Agreed without a division.
- My vote
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Yes
- Outcome
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Pass
- Proposed by
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Release documents on Government’s handling of ISIS-linked Australians (Jamal Rifi)
Voted against forcing the Government to release sensitive documents about Australians linked to ISIS
Coalition motion seeking to compel the Government to table internal advice and correspondence relating to options considered for preventing so-called “ISIS brides” from returning to Australia, and all communications between the Department of Home Affairs and community leader Dr Jamal Rifi since July 2024. Payman voted against ordering the release of these documents. The motion was defeated 33 to 23.
- My vote
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No
- Outcome
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Fail
- Proposed by
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Release ministerial passport decisions relating to ISIS-linked Australians
Voted against ordering the release of ministerial passport decisions relating to ISIS-linked Australians
Coalition motion seeking to compel the Government to table ministerial decisions made under the Australian Passports Act 2005 relating to 34 Australian citizens connected to ISIS who were seeking to return to Australia. Payman voted against compelling disclosure of these sensitive ministerial decisions. The motion was defeated 33 to 23.
- My vote
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No
- Outcome
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Fail
- Proposed by
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Establish Senate select committee into Government’s handling of ISIS-linked Australians
Voted against establishing a Senate inquiry into the Government’s handling of Australians linked to ISIS
Coalition motion to establish a seven-member Senate select committee to investigate the national security, counter-terrorism and public safety risks associated with the potential return of Australians from ISIS-controlled areas, examining ministerial decision-making across multiple portfolios. Payman voted against establishing the committee. The motion was defeated 34 to 22.
- My vote
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No
- Outcome
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Fail
- Proposed by
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Urgency motion — rule out deploying Australian military personnel against Iran
Voted to support a Senate urgency motion calling on Australia to rule out joining military action against Iran
Greens urgency motion arguing the Government should rule out deploying Australian military personnel to the Middle East as part of what the Greens described as an illegal war against Iran, warning Australia risked being drawn into another long-running US-led conflict. Payman voted in favour. The motion was defeated 27 to 10.
- My vote
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Yes
- Outcome
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Fail
- Proposed by
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Pass the Superannuation Tax Reform Bill (balances above $3 million)
Voted to pass the Superannuation Amendment Bill to increase tax on earnings from super balances above $3 million
Final passage of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Building a Stronger and Fairer Super System) Bill 2026, introducing changes to the taxation of superannuation balances above $3 million by increasing the tax applied to earnings on those large balances. Payman voted in favour. The legislation passed 33 to 22.
- My vote
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Yes
- Outcome
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Pass
- Proposed by
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Release ASIC RG97 superannuation fee disclosure correspondence
Voted to require the Government to release correspondence on ASIC Regulatory Guide 97 and superannuation fee disclosure
This vote required the Government to release correspondence relating to ASIC Regulatory Guide 97 and superannuation fee disclosure rules.
- My vote
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Yes
- Outcome
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Pass
- Proposed by
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Release Building a New Life in Australia dataset
Voted to require the Government to release the full Building a New Life in Australia dataset
This motion required the Government to release the full Building a New Life in Australia dataset tracking humanitarian migrants’ settlement outcomes.
- My vote
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Yes
- Outcome
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Fail
- Proposed by
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Urgency motion condemning US-Israel attack on Iran
Voted for a Senate urgency motion condemning the US and Israel’s attack on Iran and calling on Australia to oppose the war
This vote concerned an urgency motion condemning the United States and Israel’s attack on Iran and calling on Australia to oppose further escalation.
- My vote
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Yes
- Outcome
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Fail
- Proposed by
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Keep debate open on Keeping Australia Safe Bill
Voted to keep debate open on whether to urgently bring on the Keeping Australia Safe Bill
This vote sought to keep debate open on the Keeping Australia Safe Bill rather than proceeding immediately to a final vote.
- My vote
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Yes
- Outcome
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Pass
- Proposed by
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