The Coalition is facing renewed criticism after Liberal Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price shared a social media post claiming the Albanese Government is “importing” migrants from India, Africa and the Middle East for electoral gain.
The post, shared on July 12 from right-wing podcast platform 2 Worlds Collide, included the phrase “ABC: Albo Importing Indians for Votes” and was linked to commentary about Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s engagement with Indian-Australian communities during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Melbourne.
Senator Price’s office told media that the repost was intended to highlight discussion around ABC commentary on the Prime Minister’s engagement with the Indian diaspora and was not an endorsement of every comment made by the podcast host.
“The repost was not an endorsement of every comment made by the podcast host,” a spokesperson for Senator Price told The Australian.
The spokesperson said Senator Price believed migration policy settings should be debated on their merits, including whether migration levels matched Australia’s housing and infrastructure capacity.
Defending Senator Price, Opposition Leader Angus Taylor said sharing a post did not necessarily mean endorsing every view expressed within it.
Speaking in Melbourne, Taylor said Senator Price, along with other Coalition figures, believed Australia’s immigration policy needed to be carefully managed.
“Jacinta, like me and Jane, believe that immigration policy is hugely important to get right in this country,” Taylor said as per ABC.
“The numbers have been too high and the standards have been too low and the numbers must change.”
The controversy has reignited debate over comments Senator Price made last year, when she was removed from the Coalition frontbench after suggesting Labor’s migration program favoured Indian migrants for electoral purposes. She later clarified her comments but did not apologise.
The latest incident has drawn criticism from the NSW Labor Government, which accused the Coalition of allowing divisive rhetoric targeting the Australian-Indian community.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said in a statement that Australia’s multicultural success was built on the contributions of people from diverse backgrounds.
“New South Wales is the most successful multicultural society in the world. People from every background have helped build this state and we’re stronger because of it,” Minns said.
“Fear and division have never built a better community. If you work hard, contribute to your community and believe in this country, then you belong here.”
Acting NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Kate Washington said claims that Australian-Indians were being “imported” for political purposes were offensive and ignored their contribution to Australia.
“To suggest these Australians are being ‘imported’ for votes is offensive, false and insulting to the hard work, sacrifice and contribution of hundreds of thousands of Australian-Indians.”
The NSW Government said Australian-Indians were making significant contributions across business, healthcare, education, construction and innovation.
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