WA senator Fatima Payman juggles newborn and parliament 3,600km apart
Fatima Payman is the first WA senator to have a baby while serving in parliament.
Fatima Payman is a Western Australian independent senator. She became the first from her state to have a baby while serving in parliament.
Payman's daughter Aliyah was born in May 2026. She works more than 3,600 kilometres between Perth and Canberra.
She juggles parliamentary meetings, emails and community events with caring for a newborn. This includes feeds, nappy changes and expressing breast milk.
Payman returned to work quickly after birth with no extended maternity leave. Her husband Jacob Stokes, a former WA Labor staffer, helps.
Their families in Perth provide support too. Payman is the only senator representing Australia's Voice.
Larger parties share work among their senators. She doesn't have this support.
Her experience raises a question: as more women enter parliament, has it adapted? Does parliament support parents with young children?
- 3,600 kilometres
- Distance Perth to Canberra
- May 2026
- Daughter's birth month
- Former WA Labor staffer
- Husband's background
- Only Voice senator
- Position held
Why it mattersPayman struggles to balance new parenthood and parliamentary work. This shows a gap: parliament has no real maternity help. This makes it harder for parents to serve in parliament.
AustraliaAn Australian senator's difficulty accessing parental support while working suggests parliament may need to rethink how it accommodates parents in high-demand roles.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 5 d ago
