In a dramatic and controversial move, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has sacked Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price from the Coalition frontbench, sparking turmoil within the Liberal Party. The decision followed Price’s refusal to apologise for remarks she made about the Indian Australian community last week.
Price had alleged that Labor was “bringing in migrants from particular countries” to secure votes, citing the Indian community as an example. Her comments drew widespread backlash, with many Indian Australians expressing anger and disappointment. Despite pressure, Price refused to issue a public apology, maintaining that her comments highlighted “the damaging impacts of mass migration,” not a specific ethnic group.
Ley stated that the decision was necessary because Price failed to provide the “confidence in leadership” required for a frontbench role. While Price accepted her dismissal, she described the matter as a “disappointing episode” for the party. “No individual is bigger than the party,” she said, expressing hope the crisis would ultimately “make the Coalition stronger.”
The incident has exposed internal fractures, with several Liberal MPs criticising how the matter was handled. Some argued Ley should have personally approached Price to resolve the issue, while others pointed fingers at frontbencher Alex Hawke for allegedly pressuring Price’s staff to produce an apology video.
Price, who served as Shadow Minister for Defence Industry and Defence Personnel, vowed to continue speaking out on “national interest” issues from the backbench. No replacement for her position has yet been announced.
