'Disunity is death' is a long-held political maxim, and one which right now is causing much hand-wringing within the Federal Labor Party.

The suspension of West Australian Senator Fatima Payman over her threat to again cross the floor over the issue of Palestinian statehood is a rare event in the ALP - such are the strict rules that usually prevent anyone from taking such action.

And while the door remains open for the suspension to be lifted, Senator Payman has given no indication she's willing to toe the line, putting her and Labor on a further collision course.