Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has dismissed Jacinta Nampijinpa Price's migration comments, saying Australia is a "better" country than the picture painted by the Liberal senator.
The remarks come during a turbulent week for the Coalition, with Senator Price dumped from the shadow ministry. The move has not ended tensions inside the party, as Opposition Leader Sussan Ley works to repair relations with multicultural communities and shift the Liberals away from the anti-migrant rhetoric associated with former leader Peter Dutton.
Speaking on Cairns' 4CA, Mr Albanese backed migration in "appropriate numbers," stressing that migrants play an "important role" in the economy following Senator Price's false claims about Indian migration.
"We have a non-discriminatory immigration policy," Mr Albanese said. "We welcome people from all over the world in appropriate numbers. They importantly, provide a skilled workforce in areas where it's needed."
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Last week, Senator Price falsely claimed the government was favouring migrants "from particular countries over others" to win votes, citing the Indian community. She later issued a clarification — reportedly under pressure from Liberal leadership — acknowledging migration policy was non-discriminatory and "suggestions otherwise are a mistake," though she stopped short of apologising.
In ironic timing, on Friday, the Northern Territory CLP Government, which continues to support Senator Price, called for more skilled migrant workers to address local labour shortages.
"Migration plays an essential part in rebuilding the Territory's economy, boosting our population and restoring the Territory lifestyle," Minister for International Education, Migration and Population Robyn Cahill said.
"The Territory has ongoing workforce shortages, and it is critical that Territory businesses can find the workers they need now and into the future."
Mr Albanese acknowledged migration had increased after the pandemic lull, but warned the issue must be addressed "in a way that promotes social inclusion that doesn't target any communities".
"And unfortunately, on the other side of politics, as we've seen, there has been a targeting of particular communities... you know, we're a better country than that," he said.
On Wednesday, Senator Price refused to apologise for her comments, saying she regretted their "clumsy" delivery but would not be "silenced on" the issue of mass migration. After failing to back in Ms Ley's leadership at a hastily arranged press conference, she was removed from the shadow ministry hours later.
"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," Ms Ley said in a statement.
After being stood down, Senator Price said her outspoken approach would not change.
"My concern is not migration itself – it's the magnitude of migration. Migration at the current scale and pace is putting excessive pressures on housing, infrastructure and services. And that makes life tougher for all families. I want to see a better life for all families – whether you're a migrant, a resident, or a citizen – and regardless of your background," she said.
Senator Price, widely seen as holding leadership ambitions, left the Nationals to join the Liberals after their federal election defeat in May.
But Monash University politics expert Zareh Ghazarian said her upper house position posed a significant obstacle.
"It would be a very risky move at the moment, with Labor still rating highly in opinion polls," he said.
"What may happen is that now Senator Nampijinpa Price has the freedom of being able to talk about things that she wants to talk about without having to be wary of the ideals of party unity or being a member of the shadow cabinet, because they have that flexibility."
- with AAP
