Liberal MP Alex Hawke has called on Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price to apologise for what he described as the 'real damage' her remarks have caused the Indian community, as internal and external fallout continues within the opposition. Hawke, a key backer of Liberal leader Sussan Ley, said an apology would resolve the matter quickly because Price did not intend to cause harm.
Ley convened a roundtable with Indian community leaders on Monday before touring Sydney's Harris Park, known as 'Little India', to repair ties after Price's comments. Price had claimed without evidence that the federal government's migration program favoured certain countries, naming the Indian community, to win votes. While Price has clarified her remarks, she has not explicitly apologised, and Ley has refused to apologise on her behalf.
Price alleged that Hawke berated a member of her staff, claiming he warned she might 'end up like another female member of the Coalition' if she did not comply. Hawke rejected this, telling Sky News he had simply asked Price to consider apologising for making a mistake. The other female member, believed to be Senator Jane Hume, said she was 'reeling' from the apparent reference.
The only Liberal MP of Indian descent, Leon Rebello, described Price's comments as unhelpful and poorly timed following anti-immigration rallies. National Party leader Barnaby Joyce also urged Price to apologise, saying mistakes happen in politics and the best course is to apologise and move on.
