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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Coalition second reading amendment to the Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief) Bill – parts (b)–(g)
Noted opposition to Coalition amendment parts (b)–(g) on the Fuel Excise Relief Bill
Parts (b) through (g) of the Coalition’s second reading amendment to the Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief) Bill 2026 contained a range of additional measures. Senator McKim recorded Payman’s opposition to the opposition’s second reading amendment. Parts (b)–(g) were defeated 34 to 25.
- My vote
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No
- Outcome
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Fail
- Proposed by
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Greens second reading amendment to the Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief) Bill – fuel excise cut, electrification and war accountability
Noted support for the Greens’ amendment to the Fuel Excise Relief Bill calling for electrification and government accountability on the war
Senator Waters moved a Greens second reading amendment to the Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief) Bill 2026 acknowledging the Government’s support for the US-Israel war as a cause of the fuel crisis, calling for free public transport and EV uptake as short-term measures, and recognising the need to electrify the economy to reduce dependence on imported oil. Senator McKim recorded Payman’s support. The amendment was defeated 32 to 10.
- My vote
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Yes
- Outcome
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Fail
- Proposed by
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Pass the Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief) Bill 2026 at second and third reading
Noted support for the Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief) Bill 2026 – halving the fuel excise
The Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief) Bill 2026 temporarily halves the fuel excise on petrol and diesel, reducing the cost of a 65-litre tank by nearly $19, and reduces the heavy vehicle road user charge to zero. Senator McKim recorded Payman’s support for the second reading and all remaining stages. Both passed.
- My vote
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Yes
- Outcome
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Pass
- Proposed by
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Suspend standing orders to debate urgent fuel price relief for Australians
Voted to suspend standing orders so the Senate could debate a motion calling on the Government to provide urgent relief on fuel prices
Senator Cash sought leave to move a motion calling on the Government to provide urgent relief to Australians facing surging fuel prices. Leave was refused. She then moved to suspend standing orders to bring the matter on for debate, arguing Australians were paying over $3 a litre, servos had run dry, and small businesses could not afford to open. Payman voted in favour of the suspension. The motion was defeated 35 to 29.
- My vote
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Yes
- Outcome
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Fail
- Proposed by
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Coalition second reading amendment to the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026
Noted support for the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026
Senator Hume moved a Coalition second reading amendment to the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026, which extends the existing road transport contractor chain of responsibility scheme to cover fuel costs and price gouging. Payman was absent from the chamber but asked that her support for the amendment be noted through Senator Pocock. The amendment was defeated 34 to 29.
- My vote
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Yes
- Outcome
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Fail
- Proposed by
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One Nation second reading amendment to the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill – cut fuel excise and declare national fuel emergency
Noted opposition to One Nation’s amendment calling to cut fuel excise and declare a national fuel emergency
One Nation moved a second reading amendment calling on the Government to cut the fuel excise by 100%, declare a national liquid fuel emergency, outline fuel rationing plans, and abandon net zero policies. Payman was absent but asked that her support for part (a) cutting the fuel excise be noted, and her opposition to part (b) ditching net zero be noted. The amendment was defeated 40 to 4.
- My vote
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Split
- Outcome
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Fail
- Proposed by
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Coalition committee amendments to the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill (sheets 3738 and 3742)
Noted support for Coalition amendments requiring an independent review and strengthening consultation requirements
The Coalition moved a package of committee stage amendments to the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026. Payman asked that her support for sheets 3738 (requiring an independent review of the Act’s operation) and 3742 (strengthening consultation requirements) be noted, and her opposition to sheet 3741 (a sunsetting amendment to repeal Schedule 1 on 31 March 2027) be recorded. The amendments were defeated 35 to 29.
- My vote
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Split
- Outcome
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Fail
- Proposed by
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Greens committee amendment to the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill (sheet 3743) and final passage of the bill
Noted support for the Greens’ amendment and the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026
Senator McKim moved a Greens committee amendment (sheet 3743) to the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026 adding protections ensuring terms of workplace determinations must not be less favourable. Senator Pocock formally noted Payman’s support for the Greens amendment and for the bill itself. The Greens amendment was defeated 30 to 17, but the bill passed on the voices.
- My vote
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Yes
- Outcome
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Pass
- Proposed by
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Coalition amendment to redefine the National Tertiary Education Objective in the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025
Noted opposition to the Coalition’s amendment redefining the purpose of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission
The Coalition moved an amendment (sheet 3665) to substitute a new National Tertiary Education Objective emphasising teaching excellence, research, productivity, industry links, competition and Australian values. Senator McKim noted Payman’s opposition to the amendment. The amendment was defeated 35 to 28.
- My vote
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No
- Outcome
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Fail
- Proposed by
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Greens amendment to remove ministerial power to direct the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (clause 69)
Noted opposition to keeping clause 69, which gives the minister power to direct the ATEC
The Greens moved to oppose clause 69 of the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025, which gives the Minister power to direct the ATEC. Payman’s opposition to the clause standing as printed was formally noted by Senator McKim. The clause stood as printed 29 to 15.
- My vote
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No
- Outcome
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Pass
- Proposed by
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Greens amendments to reduce ministerial influence over the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (sheets 3667, 3670, 3672, 3720, 3728)
Noted support for Greens amendments reducing ministerial control over the Australian Tertiary Education Commission
Senator McKim moved a package of Greens committee amendments to reduce ministerial influence over the Australian Tertiary Education Commission, including removing the requirement that the ATEC only act “if requested by the Minister” and establishing a Higher Education Standards Committee. Payman’s support for these amendments was formally noted. The amendments passed 36 to 27.
- My vote
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Yes
- Outcome
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Pass
- Proposed by
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Greens amendments redefining the National Tertiary Education Objective to emphasise public mission and social equity (sheets 3674 and 3710)
Noted support for Greens amendments redefining the tertiary education objective to emphasise public mission and social equity
Senator McKim moved Greens amendments to redefine the National Tertiary Education Objective to emphasise tertiary education’s public-focused mission, democratic role, social development and environmental sustainability. Payman’s support was formally noted. The amendments were defeated 33 to 12.
- My vote
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Yes
- Outcome
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Fail
- Proposed by
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Pass the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025
Noted support for the final passage of the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025
Final passage of the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 and its related consequential and transitional provisions bill, establishing the new Australian Tertiary Education Commission. Senator McKim formally noted Payman’s support for the bills. The bills passed 36 to 27.
- My vote
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Yes
- Outcome
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Pass
- Proposed by
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Pass the Housing Australia Amendment (Accountability) Bill 2025 at second reading
Voted to pass the Housing Australia Amendment (Accountability) Bill 2025 at second reading
Second reading of the Housing Australia Amendment (Accountability) Bill 2025, a private senator’s bill from Senator Bragg imposing new accountability and transparency requirements on Housing Australia. The Government opposed the bill, arguing it would create uncertainty for housing projects already under construction and risk blocking the delivery of thousands of homes. The bill passed 36 to 25.
- My vote
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Yes
- Outcome
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Pass
- Proposed by
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Pass the Housing Australia Amendment (Accountability) Bill 2025 at third reading
Voted to pass the Housing Australia Amendment (Accountability) Bill 2025 into law
Third reading and final passage of the Housing Australia Amendment (Accountability) Bill 2025. The Government argued the bill would undermine investor confidence and delay housing construction. The bill passed 36 to 25.
- My vote
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Yes
- Outcome
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Pass
- Proposed by
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