Follow the day’s news liveGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastFederal government services minister Bill Shorten has backed Anthony Albanese’s handling of caucus solidarity rules after the first-term senator Fatima Payman quit the Labor party.Payman resigned from the party on Thursday, saying she was leaving with a heavy heart but a clear conscience after she viewed the government’s response to the bloodshed in Gaza with indifference. She had previously been suspended from Labor’s federal caucus after she warned she might cross the floor a second time to support immediate recognition of the state of Palestine.I think the prime minister has tried to handle this in the very best way possible. He didn’t overreact. He hasn’t under reacted. I thought the suspension was the right way to go. It was saying: ‘you are welcome Fatima, and let’s give you a bit of time and space to work it through’. Clearly that’s not where her head was at – she’s walked. I don’t think there’s anything else the prime minister could have done, frankly.The Senate is littered with people who have taken advice from Glenn Druery. Sometimes they get up, ultimately they flame out. I’m not going to give Fatima Payman advice. I hoped that she wouldn’t leave – I’m disappointed, but that’s her call. Continue reading...
Continua a leggere su "The Guardian"