Anthony Albanese said Fatima Payman disrupted the government’s messages around cost of living relief by conducting an interview to declare she would cross the floor again to vote in support of Palestinian statehood.
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Welcome to the parliamentary party system. There are some votes you can avoid the party line with, but if the whip declares it a party vote, it’s a party vote and you won’t get your party endorsement for the next election if you step out of line.
Once FPTP voting is done and there’s a majority, it’s pretty much a party dictatorship after that. Caucus decides what legislation will be enacted, and the caucus/cabinet is chosen by the leader. Any debate in the legislature is purely for show, and sometimes they’ll take suggestions/amendments from the floor, but usually not.
It’s another stupid system that barely beats a monarchy.
