Marise Payne Announces Retirement After 26 Years in Senate; Indian-Origin Advocate Pallavi Sinha Eyes Senate Nomination

After a 26 year career in the Senate, Marise Payne has announced that she will retire from the Senate. In her statement, she wrote that “to have become Australia’s longest serving female senator in history, is something of which I am very proud.” She was one of the Liberal party’s most senior women, and held senior ministerial portfolios in the Coalition Government between 2013 to 2022, including the first female Minister for Defence, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women.

In a statement, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said Senator Payne has “made a grand contribution to our nation and shaped it for the better,” most notably in navigating strategic changes as defence and foreign affairs minister. He also acknowledged her role as a mentor for young women within the Liberal Party.

It is understood that Indian origin Lawyer and well-known advocate for women’s rights, Pallavi Sinha, will be nominating for the Senate vacancy. Pallavi has over 20 years experience in senior executive and leadership positions, and was a Liberal candidate for the Upper house in the 2019 State elections. Pallavi has frequently provided commentary on foreign affairs, social cohesion and women, while interviewed by the mainstream media and SBS Hindi, and Indian subcontinent publications. Her experience in developing relationships with the Asia Pacific (including building relationships with India especially during her tenure as Vice-President of Australia India Business Council) would boost Australia’s strategic relationship with the Quad and India. Her significant experience in domestic and family violence advocacy would play a significant role in addressing the DV crisis across Australia.

There’s not a single Indian origin Liberal MP in NSW or Federal Parliament.  Pallavi is Co-Chair Liberal Friends of India, and Secretary of the Legal Policy branch, and has actively contributed to policy reform including submissions that she made before a Seante Committee, some of which were subsequently adopted.

Pallavi Sinha has been previously denied opportunities to nominate including for the Strathfield by-election in 2022, and the NSW Parliament Upper house in 2023. We hope that Pallavi will be given a chance to nominate as she has the best qualifications, skills and experience to fill the Senate vacancy.