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Firebrand Liberal senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price will headline a fundraiser for Willoughby MP Tim James on Friday, as Opposition Leader Mark Speakman seeks to distance the NSW party from Price’s disparaging remarks about Indian migrants.
Price told the ABC’s Afternoon Briefing program on Wednesday that the federal government was focused on bringing in migrants “from particular countries over others” and named the “Indian community” as an example.
Mark Speakman, Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and Tim James.Credit: Fairfax Media
Price will be the guest of honour at James’ fundraiser at Dalton House Hyde Park on Friday night, despite her comments attracting widespread condemnation from some Liberals, including Speakman, who took to social media to show support for Indian-Australians.
In a post on Facebook on Thursday, Speakman said: “Our Indian diaspora has one of the highest rates of tertiary and professional qualifications of any group, typically entrepreneurial, hard-working and aspirational, with strong family values.
“Indian-Australians are such a blessing to NSW.”
NSW has 261,103 people of Indian ancestry, according to the latest census figures, second only to Victoria with 276,770.
Mark Speakman’s social media post on Thursday in support of Indian community after controversial comments from Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price.Credit: Facebook
Price walked back her comments within an hour on Wednesday, but on Thursday said she did not need to apologise for falsely claiming that Labor was deliberately bringing Indian migrants to Australia to stack votes. She pointed to the framing of the ABC’s questioning to explain the inflammatory remarks.
James defended his decision to invite the Northern Territory senator to his dinner, saying Price was a “politician of conviction and courage” with “love and support for people from corners of the world”.
“She’s corrected her position and acknowledged that we have a bipartisan non-discriminatory migration policy,” James said. “I have many friends in the Indian community who will be looking forward to hearing Jacinta speak.”
Asked whether it was appropriate for Price to headline the fundraiser, Speakman said: “Tim James is doing his job, namely working for his community, and he has my full backing.”
Liberal senator Dave Sharma, who has Indian heritage, said the Indian community was a valued part of Australia. “They make immense contributions across our society, our nation and our economy, in so many positive ways. I want them to know that they are both welcomed and appreciated.”
Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley also posted a video on social media on Thursday, hailing the “amazing contribution” the Indian diaspora has made to Australia.
“We know how hard you work, your family values, and the contribution you make across this country. And as opposition leader, I value that incredibly,” Ley said.
Price’s remarks were made days after anti-immigration rallies were held around the country.
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NSW Police estimated 15,000 people joined an anti-immigration march in Sydney on Sunday, where protesters chanted “send them back” and a neo-Nazi organisation handed out fliers and led chants of “heil Australia”.
Indian-Australians later described experiencing racism and being afraid to travel into cities because last weekend’s rallies singled out immigration from India in their promotional material. One man described being pointed at while someone shouted, “deport, deport, deport”.
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