Age no barrier for Oz senator Marise Payne, 45, and her 29-year-old partner

Melbourne, June 27 (ANI): Oz senator Marise Payne, 45 is dating youngest member of the Parliament, Stuart Ayres, 29, for the past three years and she insists that their age is not an issue for the couple.

She recently said that she is proud of her partner for winning the state seat of Penrith with a record 25.5 per cent swing away from Labor, reports the Daily Telegraph.

When asked about the cougar tag, Payne said: "It's just us. It's not an issue, it's who we are."

"I have worked in politics for a long time, I am used to the joys and the lesser moments," she said.

Ayres said: "One of the first things I learned about Marise is she is a hard worker."

"I actually had no idea how old she was, it's never been an issue for me.

"I saw her at a politics function and wanted to talk to her. I muscled up the courage, wandered across the room and that's how it started out," he added. (ANI)