Liberal Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has returned to the frontbench with a defiant declaration: “I’m back, baby.” Her comeback comes after months on the backbench following her controversial claims that the Albanese Government prioritises Indian migration for political advantage – comments that sparked a heated debate about race, politics, and multicultural Australia.
Speaking to The Karl Stefanovic Show, Senator Price insisted she had nothing to apologise for, saying she had been “having a breather” but the fire that led to her rise in politics is back.
“I’m back, baby. I’m back. Don’t worry about that. I’m back. I was having a breather, but I’m back. The fire’s back.”
Senator Price’s remarks have reignited criticism from across the political spectrum.
Julian Hill MP, Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs, said, “Not even three days into Angus Taylor’s leadership and it seems the Liberals have learnt nothing.”
“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.”
Hill said the issue now falls on the shoulders of new Liberal leader Angus Taylor, who must explain why the party continues to become embroiled in race-related controversies. “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,” he added.
Senator Price, however, remained unapologetic and accused former Liberal leader Sussan Ley’s ally Alex Hawke of “throwing her under a bus” over the controversy that ended her frontbench role. “Don’t try to force me to apologise for something that doesn’t require an apology,” she said.
“And don’t apologise on my behalf either. I’ve got my own voice.”
The original remarks, made in a September 2025, prompted Senator Price’s removal from the shadow ministry. She had claimed that Labor’s migration program was designed to favour migrants likely to vote for the government, singling out the Indian community as an example. While she later described the comments as “certainly clumsy,” she refused to issue a formal apology in an exclusive interview with The Australia Today, blaming the ABC for framing the controversy.
Former Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said at the time that Price’s refusal to apologise “caused Australians of Indian heritage significant hurt” and undermined confidence in her leadership, making her position “untenable” in the shadow ministry.
Despite the backlash, Senator Price said the experience had strengthened her resolve. “I learned a hell of a lot from experience. It emboldens me and I go, ‘righto, that’s a lesson learned.’ I can forgive, I sure as hell won’t forget,” she said. She also warned anyone attempting to undermine her again:
“Come at me to my face. If you wanna have a go at me, you’ll see me coming for you when you see me coming.”
On her return, Senator Price also defended new Liberal leader Angus Taylor, describing him as “a good bloke” with “a good heart” and “very knowledgeable.” She dismissed former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, saying:
“That bloke — you are done. You’re dusted. Please move on. We don’t need ghosts from the past popping up and running down good people like Angus Taylor.”
Senator Price also reflected on her Aboriginal heritage, sharing personal insights into her “dreaming” linked to the Tiwi Islands, tying her cultural identity to her approach in federal politics.
“My other dreaming is crocodile. So my baby spirit comes from … the Tiwi Islands. That’s what else I bring to Canberra. It’s the crocodile.”
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