‘No place in our state for racist rhetoric’: Chris Minns pledges parliamentary motion backing Australian-Indians
AMIT SARWAL
Image Source: Supplied
NSW Premier Chris Minns has pledged to secure bipartisan support in Parliament to back the Australian-Indian community, following growing concerns about racist rhetoric and attempts to undermine social cohesion.
More than 40 leaders from peak bodies and community organisations joined a roundtable on Monday with Premier Chris Minns, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, and Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper, supported by Multicultural NSW.
A key outcome was the government’s commitment to move a parliamentary motion on Wednesday, 10 September, seeking cross-party support to affirm the contribution and safety of Australian-Indians.
Premier Chris Minns said the community had long been integral to Australia’s success.
“I can say without fear of contradiction that the Australian Indian community have done so much for our country… this community is full of hardworking and decent people… and, most importantly, they love Australia,”
he said.
Minns condemned recent attacks on the community, stressing:
“Today we stand together with the Australian Indian community to say unambiguously that the sort of racist rhetoric and divisive false claims we have seen over the last couple of weeks have no place in our state or country.”
The controversy began when Liberal Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price accused the Albanese Government of deliberately increasing migration from “particular countries,” singling out Indian migrants as allegedly “Labor-leaning.”
Her remarks, made during an ABC interview, sparked outrage across political and community circles, with critics accusing her of peddling a baseless conspiracy theory that undermined Australia’s non-discriminatory migration policy. Despite walking back the comments and saying she meant to criticise migration “numbers, not communities,” Senator Price has refused to issue an apology, further fuelling tensions.
Senator @JNampijinpa Price highlights Indian heritage while reaffirming support for diaspora
The remarks came amid a backdrop of heightened anti-immigration sentiment, with One Nation and fringe right-wing groups staging “March for Australia” rallies and online backlash targeting Indian commuters in Melbourne’s west.
Labor leaders, including Special Envoy for the Indian Ocean Tim Watts and Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs Julian Hill, have condemned the rhetoric, warning it damages social cohesion and alienates a community widely recognised for its contributions to Australia’s economy, culture, and workforce.
The backlash has placed pressure on Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, who has attempted to downplay the incident, as Indian diaspora groups and political leaders call for stronger protections against divisive political attacks.
Breaking: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called on Senator @JNampijinpa Price to #apologise to the #IndianAustralian community for comments that have offended.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese released a video statement today to affirm his solidarity with Indian Australian community.
Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said the community must not be “used as fodder in an internal Liberal Party dispute” over migration.
“We can debate Australia’s immigration policy without singling out any one group,” he said, adding the government had a duty to ensure Australian-Indians felt safe and supported.
Minister Steve Kamper said vilification of the community was a “blight on our State,” praising their aspirational and hardworking values.
“Our society is richer for their contribution,” he said.
“We will continue to work with our Australian-Indian community to ensure a better future for generations to come.”
The NSW Liberal Party and Nationals today hosted a roundtable with leaders from the Australian-Indian community at Parliament House, emphasising the need for unity in the wake of recent offensive remarks.
Party leaders reaffirmed the vital role of migrants in shaping the state and the nation. Mark Coure MP, Member for Oatley, observed: “As I have said before, migrants, such as those from the Australian-Indian community, have helped shape every part of our national life, and at a time when we see so much conflict in the world, here in NSW we need to remain a beacon of unity, respect, and inclusiveness.”
“We are here to listen and support our wonderful multicultural communities here in NSW.”
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