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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Senate inquiry into governance and performance of Housing Australia
Voted to establish a Senate inquiry into Housing Australia’s governance and performance
Senator Bragg’s motion to refer the governance and performance of Housing Australia to the Economics References Committee for inquiry and report by 1 February 2027. The inquiry would have examined the Housing Australia Future Fund, board composition, compliance with Senate orders, and workplace standards. Payman voted in favour; the motion was defeated.
- My vote
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Yes
- Outcome
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Fail
- Proposed by
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Disallow Help to Buy Exemptions Regulations 2025
Voted against disallowing the Help to Buy Exemptions Regulations 2025
Senator Bragg’s motion to disallow the Treasury Laws Amendment (Help to Buy Exemptions) Regulations 2025 made under the Corporations Act 2001 and National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009. Payman voted against disallowance, effectively supporting the Help to Buy regulations remaining in force. The disallowance motion was defeated.
- My vote
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No
- Outcome
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Fail
- Proposed by
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Suspend standing orders to debate Australia’s military role in the Middle East
Voted against shutting down debate about Australia’s military role in the Middle East
The Greens sought to suspend standing orders to debate a motion calling on the Government to withdraw military support and avoid involvement in the Iran conflict. The Government moved to shut down debate. Payman voted against closing debate, but the motion to end discussion passed 26 to 13.
- My vote
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No
- Outcome
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Pass
- Proposed by
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Disallow Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulations 2025
Voted to overturn the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulations 2025
The Greens moved to disallow the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulations 2025, which underpin the regulatory framework for nuclear-powered submarines visiting Australian bases under the AUKUS program. Payman voted in favour of disallowance, arguing the regulations deepen Australia’s military alliance with the US. The motion was defeated 30 to 11.
- My vote
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Yes
- Outcome
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Fail
- Proposed by
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Require Government to explain withheld documents on Antisemitism Royal Commission
Voted to require the Government to explain why documents about the Antisemitism Royal Commission were withheld
Senator Payman’s motion noted the Government had failed to comply with a previous Senate order requiring documents related to the proposed Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion. Rather than demanding immediate release of withheld Cabinet documents, the motion required the Government to provide a list of each withheld document, its date and type, and a detailed explanation of the harm that would result from its release, by midday on 16 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 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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