Senator Payman Apologizes for Remarks on MP's Attack
Fatima Payman issues apology after referencing Helen Haines' alleged attack in comments about her own staffing needs.
Independent senator Fatima Payman has apologized to fellow MP Helen Haines for remarks made during Senate Estimates regarding staffing allocations. Payman had suggested that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese might only seriously consider her requests for additional staff if her office experienced an incident similar to the alleged attack on Haines.
During estimates on Monday night, Payman questioned whether her requests for extra staff were being overlooked because she had left the Labor Party. She stated that her office was struggling with its workload and that staff were under increasing pressure, noting that the Prime Minister has sole discretion over the allocation of additional electorate and parliamentary staff.
Payman's initial comments implied a concern that the Prime Minister was waiting for a serious incident, such as the one allegedly involving Haines, before addressing her staffing needs. However, she later told the Sydney Morning Herald that she had personally contacted Haines and her staff to convey her apologies for the "clumsy wording."
Haines, an independent MP, remains in a serious but stable condition after allegedly being struck by a vehicle outside her Wangaratta electorate office last Monday. A 43-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the alleged attack.
Payman also reiterated her criticism of the government's staffing arrangements, asserting that the demands on her office were unsustainable. She invited the Special Minister of State to experience firsthand the toll the job was taking on her staff's well-being.
Earlier on Wednesday, Special Minister of State Don Farrell had condemned Payman's remarks as "outrageous," stating that they unfairly accused the Prime Minister of ignoring legitimate staffing concerns. Farrell's comments were made before Payman confirmed her apology to Haines and her staff. He dismissed any suggestion that the government's handling of Payman's request risked the perception of punishment for her departure from the Labor Party.
