Julian Hill at a citizenship ceremony in Adelaide. Photo/Facebook
Labor has criticised the expected return of Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price to the Coalition frontbench, arguing it raises fresh questions about the Liberal Party’s stance on race and multiculturalism.
Julian Hill, Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs, said the move comes at an early stage of Angus Taylor’s leadership.
“Not even 3 days into Angus Taylor’s leadership and it seems the Liberals have learnt nothing.”
Senator Price was removed from the shadow ministry last year after she declined to apologise for remarks about migration and voting patterns among Australians of Indian heritage. She later described her comments as clumsy but did not withdraw them.
Mr Hill said those comments remain unacceptable.
“Jacinta Price’s comments about Australians of Indian heritage were wrong and are just as offensive today as they were the first time she said them.”
Jacinta Price & Sussan Ley
“She never apologised, and Sussan Ley had the guts to sack her. This is now a test for Angus Taylor”
He referred to the decision by former Liberal leader Sussan Ley to remove Senator Price from the frontbench.
“She never apologised, and Sussan Ley had the guts to sack her. This is now a test for Angus Taylor.”
Senator Price has since defended her position and indicated she stands by her broader views on migration and values. Reports suggest Mr Taylor is considering promoting her back into the shadow ministry.
Mr Hill said the matter reflects a wider issue for the Coalition.
“It’s a matter for the Liberal Party to explain why they keep getting embroiled in issues of race.”
He added that voting behaviour cannot be reduced to ethnicity.
“No matter where people come from, Australians can vote for whoever they want at election time. The idea that people of a particular heritage all think the same thing is offensive.”
The Liberal Party has not publicly confirmed any changes to its frontbench lineup. The issue is likely to draw further scrutiny as Mr Taylor begins his tenure as Opposition Leader.
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Labor criticises the expected return of Senator @JNampijinpa to the Coalition frontbench, citing her past controversial remarks about Australians of Indian heritage. It calls on new Liberal leader @AngusTaylorMP to address the issue. #TheIndianSun
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