A 51-year-old man has been sentenced after sending death threats to Independent Senator Fatima Payman via email, highlighting ongoing issues of racism in Australia. Sean David Sharman, a resident of Ballarat, pleaded guilty and was issued an 18-month community correction order, as well as being mandated to address his alcohol addiction, during proceedings at the Ballarat Magistrates Court on March 20, 2023.
The distressing threats included derogatory remarks about Senator Payman’s Muslim faith and a menacing message stating he had a bullet with her name on it. In the wake of the sentencing, Payman expressed her acceptance of the court’s decision but emphasized the need for stronger measures against racism and hate speech.
“I have faith that the court has considered all of the evidence and delivered an appropriate sentence,” she stated. “However, there does need to be a stronger message that there is no place for hatred and racism.”
Senator Payman revealed that her office experiences a continuous barrage of racist messages, stating, “While this email was particularly abhorrent, I receive messages like this daily over email, on social media and over the phone.” The senator explained that the impact of such abuse extends beyond herself, affecting her staff and hindering her office’s ability to serve the people of Western Australia (WA) effectively.
In delivering the sentence, Magistrate Julia Barling remarked that the decision was not lenient. She indicated that had Sharman possessed prior convictions, the outcome may have included incarceration.
Payman’s ongoing challenges reflect a broader societal issue regarding the prevalence of racism and the inadequacy of current legal measures to deter such behavior. The senator’s commitment to addressing these issues remains steadfast as she continues her work representing the diverse communities of WA.
