Fatima Payman slammed by Australian academic after saying Iran is an ‘incredible place’ for women

Fatima Payman has drawn strident criticism from an Australian academic who was imprisoned in Iran after the renegade senator told Iranian state-owned TV the country was an “incredible place” for women.

Kylie Moore-Gilbert, who spent two years imprisoned in Iran on espionage charges, said the senator’s comments were “nonsense”.

Senator Payman was interviewed by a reporter for Iran’s PressTV after speaking at a Sydney event focused on “the reality of Iranian people”.

The news report broadcast last week shows Senator Payman in what appears to be a partial quote describing the “incredible place that Iran is, allowing for women to participate in the workforce, to ensure that they have a voice and their voices are heard”.

She goes on to say, “They’re involved in the democratic process – realities that we’re not privy to living here and listening to the propaganda that we receive from very single-sided organisations with a specific agenda.”

Dr Moore-Gilbert posted on social media that she was “genuinely baffled” by the move “from someone who in the past had expressed sympathy and solidarity for the people of Iran and their struggle for #WomanLifeFreedom”, referencing the movement calling for greater rights for women in Iran.

Senator Payman has previously promoted her attendance at Woman Life Freedom events including a rally at Parliament House in Canberra, where she was pictures with Senate President Sue Lines.

“Why agree to be interviewed by Press TV, English language propaganda arm of the Islamic Republic known for broadcasting false confession videos and forced interviews with prisoners before they are executed?” Dr Moore-Gilbert said.

“You are many things dear Senator, and in the past your contribution to parliament has been a valuable one. But ‘Australia’s Voice’, you absolutely are not.”