Just months after walking away from Labor.
Senator Fatima Payman, launching a major political gamble.
"I announce the formation of Australia's Voice. A new political party for the disenfranchised, the unheard, and those yearning for real change."
And there are many questions that remain unanswered, like what the party would stand for?
"The policy platform will come in time, and I'm very excited to publicly announce the course."
REPORTER: "Are there any that you can announce or any?"
PAYMAN: "All you have to do is look back at a few of my speeches since becoming an independent. Whether that's negative gearing capital gains tax in terms of housing affordability, or whether it's looking at our aged care reform bills, or whether it's looking at early childhood education, making sure that parents and families are able to put food on the table while ensuring their kids get good education."
Who the candidates would be?
"We are not ruling out anyone, again, Australia's Voice is for each and every person, and we welcome candidates."
And who is paying for it?
"I'm open to donations, I haven't had those conversations just yet. We've been focusing on the launch of the party. But I'm open to having these conversations."
Senator Payman's supporters applauded her defection, but in reality, her personal vote at the last election was minuscule – just 0.11 per cent.
But she says she's spent months consulting, planning to run upper house candidates in each state, and considering the lower house.
REPORTER: "So you're saying you'd considering a run in the PM's seat?"
PAYMAN: "Oh, that's a maybe, it's all on the table."
The choice of the party name, Australia's Voice, has sparked concerns due to its similarity to the name of the Voice to Parliament that was defeated last year.
Some Indigenous leaders, including those involved in the Yes campaign for the Voice, said permission had not been sought, and were unhappy about the word being used in the party's name.
Co-architect of the Voice, Tom Calma, told the ABC it could be misconstrued.
"I suppose it'll be a catchy title, but it's meaning, I think, could be very confusing."
Senator Payman says she has consulted with First Nations leaders.
"We've consulted with First Nations people. We've consulted with elders from that community who actually feel like the current government is not representing them."
But could not name anyone that she has consulted, saying those conversations have been in private.
