Liberal MP Julian Leeser has "unreservedly apologised" to Indian Australians over comments made by Liberal senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, which have been described as "frankly disgusting" by a Labor MP.
Leeser, who is the Opposition spokesperson for legal affairs, apologised for any "offence" caused by Price's remarks last week when she claimed the federal government had a "focus" on bringing in migrants "from particular countries over others", before she singled out the Indian community.
Soon after the interview with the ABC, Price clarified her remarks, but her initial suggestion that Indian migration is unduly favoured fuelled division.
Leeser acknowledged that Price had walked back her comments on migration, but said he felt he had to speak up while addressing a crowd at a Hindi school in NSW over the weekend.
"My colleague Jacinta Price said something this week that I want to apologise unreservedly for," he said.
"Let me say very clearly, the contribution of Indian Australians to this country is fantastic. The Indian community is fantastic. And you know what? India, like Australia, is a democracy," Leeser said.
"There are Indians that vote Labor, there are Indians that vote Liberal, there are Indians that vote Greens. I don't care how you vote. I care about the contribution you make to this country, and I know it is a fantastic contribution, and I want you to keep making it."
Price regretful, has not heard from Sussan Ley
Leeser also spoke about Opposition leader Sussan Ley's position on Price's statement.
"As my leader Sussan Ley said, she was wrong to say it, and she has walked back those remarks and I am pleased that she has," he said.
In an interview with Sky News on Monday night, Price said she has regrets about her comments.
"The regret that I have is that I wasn't clearer in terms of my comments on the ABC … and since then have made a clarification," Price said.
She said she has not heard from Ley regarding her comments on Indian migration.
"I have not had a conversation with the leader [Sussan Ley] specifically about that issue," Price said.
"I guess I would expect that I would hear directly from the leader herself if it was of huge concern; it didn't appear to be of huge concern."
"The comments were wrong, not correct. They should not have taken place," she said.
"They will not be repeated. What I said subsequently and what I say now is to express my deep appreciation to the Indian community for all they have brought to Australia, for all they continue to bring, for their representation in every forum of society."
Price should apologise, PM says
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called for Price to apologise for her comments and "the hurt that has been caused".
"The comments are not true that the senator made, and of course, she should apologise for the hurt that has been caused, and her own colleagues are saying that. But even more importantly, leaders in the community are asking for that as well," Albanese told ABC Radio on Tuesday morning.
"It is important to make clear my position, which is that the Indian Australian community has made our nation stronger. They contribute to our economy, our communities.
"They're a vital part of modern Australia, and I just say to the Indian community, you're valued."
