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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Noted opposition to Government gag motion closing debate on suspension motion about ADF overseas deployment transparency
Noted opposition to closing debate on a crossbench suspension motion about ADF deployment transparency
Senator Gallagher moved to end debate on a Greens suspension motion calling on the Government to table documents about the legal basis for Australia’s military deployment in the Middle East and to deliver the ministerial statement required under the Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Approval of Overseas Service) Act. Senator McKim recorded Payman’s opposition to the gag motion. The gag passed 23 to 10.
- My vote
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No
- Outcome
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Pass
- Proposed by
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Suspension of standing orders to debate ADF overseas deployment transparency and the Middle East war
Noted support for suspending standing orders to force the Government to explain the legal basis for Australia’s military deployment in the Middle East
Following the gag motion, Senator McKim recorded that Payman supported the substantive suspension motion calling on the Government to table documents about the legal basis for Australia’s ADF deployment in the Middle East and to deliver the required ministerial statement under the Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Approval of Overseas Service) Act. The suspension motion was defeated 23 to 10.
- My vote
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Yes
- Outcome
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Fail
- Proposed by
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Disallow the mandatory cash acceptance regulations
Noted support for disallowing the mandatory cash acceptance regulations
Senator Roberts moved to disallow the Treasury Laws Amendment (Help to Buy Exemptions) Regulations mandating that only large supermarkets and petrol stations must accept cash, arguing the mandate was too narrow and excluded essentials such as pharmacies, utilities, public transport and children’s clothing. Senator McKim recorded Payman’s support for the disallowance. The disallowance was defeated 28 to 17.
- My vote
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Yes
- Outcome
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Fail
- Proposed by
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Release documents on government AI compliance – Digital Transformation Agency
Senator Tyrrell moved in Senator Payman’s name; to require the Government to release documents on agency compliance with the AI in government policy
Senator Tyrrell moved, at Senator Payman’s request, an order requiring the Minister for Finance to table documents showing which Commonwealth agencies had failed to comply with the government’s responsible use of AI policy, including internal DTA tracking spreadsheets, by 5 pm on 19 May 2026. The Senate agreed.
- My vote
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Yes
- Outcome
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Pass
- Proposed by
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Release documents on Defence AI policy
Senator Tyrrell moved in Senators Payman’s name; to require the Government to release documents on Defence’s AI policy
Senator Tyrrell moved, at Senator Payman’s request, an order requiring the Minister for Defence to table all communications between the Minister, his office and the Department of Defence relating to the development, implementation and enforcement of the Department of Defence’s responsible AI use policy settings, by 5 pm on 15 April 2026. The Senate agreed.
- My vote
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Yes
- Outcome
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Pass
- Proposed by
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Urgency motion calling on the Government to address childcare accessibility by imposing a 25% gas export tax
Senator Hodgins-May moved an urgency motion on Senator Payman’s behalf calling on the Government to address childcare affordability by imposing a 25% gas export tax
Senator Payman submitted an urgency motion calling on the Government to address the increasing accessibility and affordability of early childhood education and care by imposing a 25% tax on gas exports. Senator Hodgins-May moved the motion in Payman’s absence. The Senate debated the proposal but it was defeated 26 to 10.
- My vote
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Yes
- Outcome
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Fail
- Proposed by
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Greens second reading amendment to the Copyright Amendment Bill 2026 on AI and copyright
Noted support for the Greens’ amendment on AI and copyright to the Copyright Amendment Bill 2026
Senator Shoebridge moved a Greens second reading amendment to the Copyright Amendment Bill 2026 proposing to extend the bill’s provisions to cover the recording of lessons for later viewing, which rights holders opposed. Senator McKim recorded Payman’s support for this amendment. The amendment was defeated 26 to 16.
- My vote
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Yes
- Outcome
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Fail
- Proposed by
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Pocock second reading amendment to the Copyright Amendment Bill rejecting AI text and data mining exceptions
Noted support for Senator Pocock’s amendment affirming creator rights and rejecting AI data mining exceptions
Senator Pocock moved a second reading amendment to the Copyright Amendment Bill 2026 reaffirming the Senate’s support for creators and rights holders and rejecting any proposal to introduce text and data mining exceptions that would allow Big Tech to use copyrighted material without authorisation or payment. Senator McKim recorded Payman’s support. The amendment was defeated 26 to 16.
- My vote
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Yes
- Outcome
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Fail
- Proposed by
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Pass the Copyright Amendment Bill 2026 at second and third reading
Noted support for the Copyright Amendment Bill 2026
The Copyright Amendment Bill 2026 modernises copyright law including establishing an orphan works scheme and clarifying that copyright rules apply consistently to online and physical classrooms. Senator McKim recorded Payman’s support for the second and third readings of the bill. Both passed.
- My vote
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Yes
- Outcome
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Pass
- Proposed by
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Coalition second reading amendment to the Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief) Bill – part (a)
Noted opposition to Coalition amendment part (a) calling for the fuel excise cut to be permanent
Senator Chandler moved a Coalition second reading amendment to the Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief) Bill 2026. Part (a) called for the fuel excise cut to be made permanent rather than temporary. Senator McKim recorded Payman’s opposition to the opposition’s second reading amendment. Part (a) was defeated 36 to 22.
- My vote
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No
- Outcome
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Fail
- Proposed by
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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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