Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has been sacked by Leader of the Federal Opposition Sussan Ley.
Senator Price faced backlash last week after accusing Labor of bringing in ‘large numbers’ of Indian migrants to help boost its vote.
Several senior Coalition figures have called on Price to apologise but she has so far remained firm.
On Wednesday evening, the senator confirmed on X that she had been asked to step down from the shadow ministry.
‘This evening, I had a conversation with Sussan Ley, the Leader of the Federal Liberal Party and Federal Opposition, who requested that I resign from my position in the shadow ministry,’ she stated.
‘I have accepted the Leader’s decision. And I reiterated my regret in not being clearer in my comments on the ABC last Wednesday.
‘Nonetheless, I took the opportunity to convey to the Leader my disappointment that certain colleagues overlooked the crucial point I was making regarding the negative consequences of mass migration. Instead, some colleagues opted to engage in media commentary driven by an agenda on this issue.
‘As I mentioned in my prior statement: it was never my intention to be disrespectful towards our Indian community. I hold no ill-will towards the Indian community—or any other migrant group.’
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley asked Jacinta Nampijinpa Price (pictured) to step down from the shadow ministry on Wednesday evening
At a press conference held shortly after Price’s declaration, Ley informed reporters that the senator had ‘not met the high standard’ she expects from members of her shadow ministry.
‘Despite being given the time and space to apologize, Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price did not offer an apology today,’ she said.
‘And many Australians, not just of Indian heritage, have been calling for that apology for remarks that were deeply hurtful.’
Price, who will now be returning to the backbench, doubled down in her statement on her stance on the issue of mass migration policy in Australia.
‘My concern—similar to that of millions of Australians—lies with Labor’s mass migration agenda and its implications. My issue is not with migration itself, but with its extent,’ she remarked.
‘Migration at its current size and speed exerts immense pressure on housing, infrastructure, and services. This situation makes life more challenging for every family. I aspire to improve life for all families—whether you are a migrant, resident, or citizen—regardless of your background.
‘This has been a disappointing episode for the Liberal Party. I will learn from it. I’m sure others will too. No individual is bigger than a party. And I’m sure events of the past week will ultimately make our party stronger.’
The ongoing fallout from her comments, made last Wednesday on the ABC’s Afternoon Briefing program, has been a massive headache for Ley who almost immediately went into damage control.
Ley visited ‘Little India’ in Sydney’s Harris Park on Sunday to speak with local businesses and community leaders.
She was told that many members of the community’s ‘hearts’ were broken by these comments and was asked if Price should apologise.
Multiple senior figures in the Coalition, including Nationals Leader David Littleproud and Alex Hawke, have subsequently called on Price to apologise.
On Wednesday evening, Ley issued a statement on Price’s decision to step down.
‘Serving in the Shadow Ministry is a privilege. Shadow Ministers and Shadow Assistant Ministers are expected to uphold the standards I have set as Leader,’ she said.
‘Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has failed to do so and will no longer serve in my Shadow Ministry.
‘Today, despite being given sufficient time and space to do so, Senator Nampijinpa Price failed to apologise for remarks which have caused Australians of Indian heritage significant hurt.
‘She also refused to provide confidence in my leadership of the Liberal Party and sadly, that has made her position untenable in my Shadow Ministry.
‘The Liberal Party I lead will respect, reflect and represent modern Australia.’
More to come.
