Renegade Senator Fatima Payman Shocks Prime Minister with Last-Minute Deal Collapse on Green Reforms

Former Labor Senator Fatima Payman has become a pivotal figure in the abrupt failure of the government’s much-anticipated environmental reform bill, leaving a significant impact on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's plans. Just when a deal seemed imminent with the Greens and independent senator David Pocock, her unexpected withdrawal of support sent shockwaves through the Prime Minister’s office, highlighting internal rifts and external pressures facing Labor.

P24 News Media

December 02, 2024

1 minute

Renegade Senator Fatima Payman Shocks Prime Minister with Last-Minute Deal Collapse on Green Reforms

India

Former Labor Senator Fatima Payman has emerged as a crucial figure in the unexpected collapse of the government’s key environmental reform bill. On Wednesday morning, in a turn of events that marred the government’s legislative agenda, Payman’s last-minute decision to withdraw support sent ripples of dismay through Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's office. Just as the Greens and independent senator David Pocock were gearing up to formally announce an agreement with the government, the realization that Payman was not on board abruptly halted their momentum.

This sudden turn of events unfolded amid ongoing discord among Labor’s MPs who back environmental initiatives. The ABC has confirmed that Payman played an instrumental role in derailing an agreement that had seemed all but finalized between the government, Greens leader Adam Bandt, and Senator Pocock.

The pivotal moment came after hours of negotiations on Tuesday, where the specifics of the deal were discussed amongst party representatives. It was then communicated that Senator Payman would not support the Nature Positive reform package—a measure deeply unpopular within Western Australia’s mining sector and vocally opposed by Premier Roger Cook in its current format.

Those familiar with the situation described Payman’s withdrawal as an “oh shit” moment for the PM, as it became clear that the government no longer had the Senate votes needed to advance the reform bill.

The failure to secure Payman’s backing followed a significant meeting with Tania Constable, the CEO of the Minerals Council of Australia, who reportedly spent considerable time lobbying within Payman’s office. During this discussion, she highlighted the potential ramifications the bill would have on Western Australia’s economic landscape, framing the argument in a way that resonated with the senator.

As the now-independent senator stepped away from the party’s collective stance, the intrigue surrounding Labor’s abrupt withdrawal from the negotiations deepened. There was a growing sense that the decision had been influenced by strong opposition from mining and business factions. Some observers believe the government may have miscalculated the level of support it could count on from Senator Payman.

In a surprising twist, Premier Cook sought to take credit for the bill's failure, revealing that he had briefed Prime Minister Albanese on the situation, successfully persuading him to back away from a deal that was facing mounting resistance.

Payman’s actions have added complexity to an already layered political scenario. Her defection from the Labor Party back in July, after being suspended for aligning with the Greens on key issues, has fostered persistent tensions. Disputes over staffing and support have compounded her grievances with the party leadership, particularly with Albanese.

Close associates of Payman assert that she was not influenced by any external interest group but had felt increasingly sidelined in discussions surrounding the environmental legislation. They indicated that she was open to negotiations but grew frustrated with the government’s reluctance to engage in meaningful dialogue.

In light of her decision, a source close to Payman remarked, “We did want to negotiate, but they wouldn’t engage. What can you do in such a case?”

As Labor grappled with its own internal divisions, the environmental reforms represented a critical element of the party's agenda since the 2022 elections. The party now finds itself divided between those concerned about the fallout from resource-dependent states and members who face challenges from more environmentally conscious constituents.

In a bid to rekindle hopes for reform, it had appeared last week that negotiations were gaining traction with offers from Greens representatives, including adjustments to demands concerning forest protections.

As discussions reached a fever pitch, a letter revealed that the government was poised to implement national environmental standards in the future. However, the optimism was short-lived, as the situation rapidly deteriorated, leading to the shelving of talks.

The Prime Minister, in a candid interview, admitted to the lack of a majority in the Senate to pass the Nature Positive legislation, while simultaneously suggesting that the government had not entirely abandoned the reform efforts. He hinted they could revisit discussions when parliament reconvenes in February, although there were indications that he may call for an early election before that, complicating matters further.

In a response to these developments, Shadow Environment Minister Jonno Duniam accused the Prime Minister of hedging his bets by failing to commit fully to the environmental agenda, highlighting the disarray within the Labor ranks. Duniam emphasized the necessity for the government to honor its commitment to reform the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act as originally promised by Minister Plibersek before the deadline.