Liberal senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has rejected calls to apologise for her claim that Labor is deliberately bringing Indian migrants to Australia to stack votes, arguing instead that her remarks stemmed from questioning during an ABC interview.
She made the comments on 3 September in an appearance on the ABC’s Afternoon Briefing program, where she alleged the federal government was prioritising migrants “from particular countries over others” and singled out the “Indian community” as an example. The fallout from Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price’s remarks on migration and the Indian community has continued, drawing strong responses from across the political spectrum.
Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi accused Price of feeding “a racist and white nationalist agenda” by singling out Indian migrants. “This sort of rhetoric only emboldens extremists,” she said. By contrast, Liberal MP Dave Sharma defended the Indian community, making it clear that he rejected stereotyping. “I support the Indian community and reject the stereotyping of any migrant group,” Sharma said.
Senator Price released a statement on Wednesday insisting her position was about migration levels rather than any group. “When I raise concerns about Labor’s mass migration agenda, it’s about the numbers—not about any community,” she said. “Indian migrants, who have come to Australia, have a strong record of integration, embracing our values, working hard in many fields of endeavour, and joining the league of cherished and loyal Australian citizens. My own children share Indian ancestry, and I have strong friendships within the Indian and Sikh communities in the Northern Territory. I deeply value these connections.”
She stressed that her concern was with policy settings. “My concern, as it is for millions of Australians, is Labor’s uncontrolled, unplanned, and unsustainable migration. Labor’s mass migration agenda—an issue of numbers—continues to cause pressures on housing, infrastructure and services,” Price said.
In New South Wales, Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure said the remarks risked damaging the unity that defines modern Australia. “I was disappointed to hear recent remarks made by Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, which suggested that immigration policy has been used to target particular communities for political purposes,” he said in a statement. “Whilst comments were quickly retracted, they risk damaging the unity and inclusiveness that define modern Australia.”
Coure emphasised Australia’s record of diversity. “Australia is one of the most multicultural nations in the world. We are home to people from every corner of the globe, with over 310 nationalities represented and more than 283 languages spoken in our schools, workplaces, and neighbourhoods. This incredible diversity is our greatest strength,” he said.
He singled out the contribution of the Indian community as central to this success. “The Indian-Australian community, along with so many others, have made an enormous contribution to this story, and they deserve respect and recognition,” Coure said.
The episode highlights how migration has become a flashpoint. For some, the debate is about numbers, infrastructure, and planning. For others, the danger lies in rhetoric that risks scapegoating. As the political arguments continue, community leaders are calling for care in how the issue is framed, warning that language matters as much as policy.
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