Sky News host James Macpherson says Australia owes Senator Fatima Payman a “vote of thanks” for bringing religion back to politics after revealing Ms Payman sought “guidance from Allah”.

“Australia owes Fatima Payman a great vote of thanks, the renegade senator put religion back on the front-page last week after revealing she sought guidance from Allah,” Mr Macpherson said.

“After praying to Allah, the 29-year-old broke ranks with her Labor colleagues to vote with the Greens in favour of Palestinian statehood.”