Payman asks if PM is ‘waiting for what happened to Helen Haines’ to occur again – video

Key points

• Western Australian independent senator Fatima Payman has accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of being petty for not granting her extra staff. At a late-night Senate estimates hearing, Payman said she requested an additional adviser two years ago, in line with other independent offices, but the request has not been processed.
• Farrell asked her to withdraw the comments. Payman said she would not do so until Albanese processed or responded to the request.
• Payman left the Labor party in 2024.