Shadow Home Affairs Minister James Paterson says WA Labor Senator Fatima Payman has “laid down the gauntlet” to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese today after she accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.

Mr Paterson said this is an “important test” of Mr Albanese’s leadership.

“Will he show strength, or will he show weakness?” Mr Paterson told Sky News Australia.

“Senator Payman has repeated a phrase that the Prime Minister has agreed is a violent statement. She’s endorsed that phrase.”