Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has apologised to Indian Australians on behalf of Northern Territory Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, more than a week after the controversial comments that sparked a political storm.
The apology came a day after Ms Ley removed Ms Price from the shadow cabinet, following the senator’s refusal to support her leadership or personally apologise for remarks on migration and voting patterns among Indian Australians.
“May I reaffirm my strong support for all our migrant communities, for the values that they bring to this country, for the contribution they make,” Ms Ley told reporters on Thursday.
“I take this opportunity as Leader of the Liberal Party to apologise to all Indian Australians and indeed others who were hurt.”
While shadow attorney-general Julian Leeser had issued an apology on Ms Price’s behalf within days, Ms Ley waited more than a week before stepping in. Pressed on the delay, she refused to explain her timing.
The dispute has highlighted deep divisions within the Liberal Party, with senior figures both defending and criticising Ms Price.
Ms Ley’s decision followed internal conflict, including a denial by Liberal MP Alex Hawke of accusations that he berated Ms Price’s staff over the issue.
Ms Price accepted her removal as shadow defence industry minister, saying she “regrets not being clearer” in her remarks. She stressed that her comments were intended to address the scale and pace of migration and the pressure it places on housing, infrastructure, and essential services, not to disparage any community.
Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott described her removal as “a big loss to the frontbench,” while Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had urged Ms Price to apologise to the Indian-Australian community before leaving for the Pacific Islands Forum.
In a statement, Ms Price said she had received “overwhelming outreach” from Australians, including the Indian community, and vowed to continue speaking out on key national issues such as Indigenous communities, climate policy, national security, and economic freedoms.
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