A coalition senator has urged the party to move on after a Liberal colleague sent the opposition into damage control after saying the government was bringing in Indian migrants who would vote for Labor.
Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price’s controversial comments led Opposition Leader Sussan Ley to reiterate coalition support for the Indian community and visit leaders and business owners in western Sydney on Sunday.
Liberal Senator Jane Hume said the party needed to show its support for the community, following a vocal backlash.
“It probably is important to demonstrate that we are supportive of our Indian community, who have contributed so much to our society, to our economy, to our culture,” she told Sky News on Monday.
“The most important thing here is that we move on from this. Jacinta has stepped back her words that she said last week.”
Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce suggested Senator Nampijinpa Price would be better off apologising.
“Best thing to do is apologise and move on, get off it, get on to another topic,” the Nationals MP told Seven’s Sunrise program on Monday.
“I don’t think Jacinta has it in for Indians by the way – I think she’s trying to convey … migration is out of control.”
On Sunday, Ms Ley visited the Indian community in the western Sydney suburb of Harris Park, which is also known as Little India, to smooth over any concerns.
Members of the community extended a warm welcome to the opposition leader, even though she had earlier declined to offer a formal apology on the behalf of the coalition
Community members welcomed Ms Ley with smiles and flowers, and she was taken on a walking tour of a high street, where she met local business owners and sampled food at a restaurant.
Liberal Senator Maria Kovacic was also among the coalition contingent at Harris Park and said the comments had hurt Indian community members.
“Whether it was a misunderstanding, whether it was an error, whether it was something taken out of context, the important thing is that when something like that occurs, that you quickly go to repair that,” she told ABC Radio.
“What we need to do as a coalition looking to come back into government is to listen to Australians and understand what is important to them.”
In a statement, Senator Nampijinpa Price said she regretted “not being clearer in my comments”.
“I know that many Australians of Indian ancestry – and Indian migrants living in Australia – are distressed, not only by my comments but also in reading associated newspaper coverage,” she said on social media.
“My comments were never intended to be disparaging towards our Indian community.
“And I wish no ill-will whatsoever to the Indian community – or any other migrant group.”
Senior government minister Tanya Plibersek on Monday said the senator should apologise.
“Jacinta Price should apologise and if she doesn’t Sussan Ley should make her apologise,” she told Seven.