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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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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Pass the Housing Investment Probity Bill 2024 at second reading
Voted against passing the Housing Investment Probity Bill 2024 at second reading
Second reading of the Housing Investment Probity Bill 2024, a private senator’s bill from Senator Bragg. The bill was defeated 36 to 26.
- My vote
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No
- Outcome
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Fail
- Proposed by
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One Nation second reading amendment calling for net zero funding to be stripped from Indigenous land and water bills
Voted against One Nation’s amendment calling for net zero funding to be removed from Indigenous land and water bills
Senator Roberts moved a second reading amendment to the Appropriation bills proposing to withhold or redirect funding linked to net zero policies. Payman voted against the amendment alongside the overwhelming majority of the Senate. The amendment was defeated 40 to 5.
- My vote
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No
- Outcome
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Fail
- Proposed by
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Pass the Indigenous land and water management bills at second reading
Voted to pass the Indigenous land and water management bills at second reading
Second reading of a package of bills relating to Indigenous land and water management. Senator Roberts’ second reading amendment having been defeated, Payman voted in favour of the bills proceeding. The second reading passed 40 to 5.
- My vote
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Yes
- Outcome
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Pass
- Proposed by
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Pass the Indigenous land and water management bills at third reading
Voted to pass the Indigenous land and water management bills into law
Third reading and final passage of the Indigenous land and water management bills. The bills passed 40 to 5.
- My vote
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Yes
- Outcome
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Pass
- Proposed by
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Greens second reading amendment to refer the Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Approval of Overseas Service) Bill to inquiry
Voted for a Greens amendment to refer the Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Approval of Overseas Service) Bill 2020 to a committee inquiry
Senator McKim moved an amendment calling for the Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Approval of Overseas Service) Bill 2020, which would require parliamentary approval before Australian military forces are deployed overseas to be referred to a committee inquiry. Greens senators argued the Government and Opposition were keeping secret their reasons for not wanting parliamentary scrutiny of overseas military deployments. The amendment was defeated 31 to 12.
- My vote
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Yes
- Outcome
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Fail
- Proposed by
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