Explained: This article explains the political background, key decisions, and possible outcomes related to Explained : The Politics of Race, Migration, and India-Australia Ties and Its Impact and why it matters right now.
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A new race debate centred around migration—especially concerning the presence of Indian migrants—has erupted in Australia. The controversy was triggered by a recent claim from the Federal opposition Liberal Party parliamentarian and shadow minister Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, who stated that the ruling Labor Party was prioritising Indian migrants to strengthen its political support base. Her politically charged statement was delivered against the backdrop of anti-immigration rallies in Australia, organised by white nationalists and in some cases neo-Nazis, which focused on Indian migrants. Price’s comment sparked a racially tinged political controversy that has cast a shadow once again on the Indian community in Australia and Australia–India relations.
Opposition leader Sussan Ley, anticipating the consequences, quickly removed Senator Price from her shadow ministerial role after the latter refused to apologise and declared that she would not be silenced on the issue of “mass migration”. Ley, as Liberal Party leader, in damage control, offered an apology to Indian-Australians and others who may have been hurt or offended by Price’s remarks. Later, Price expressed regret over what she described as the clumsy way she had communicated her concerns about mass migration. But the damage was done.
The debate quickly spilt into the public arena. A journalist from the ABC, Australia’s public broadcaster, described Price’s comments as discriminatory and racist; however, others rejected the “racist” label, instead attributing Price’s remarks to political incompetence and amateurism.
Senator Price’s comments are not just divisive — they’re dangerous. They unfairly single out Indian-Australians and echo dog whistles that threaten social cohesion.
Leaders of the Indian community reacted strongly, condemning the comments as racist and demanding an apology from Price, which she refused to provide. According to Pawan Luthra, CEO of the India Link Media Group, “Senator Price’s comments are not just divisive — they’re dangerous. They unfairly single out Indian-Australians and echo dog whistles that threaten social cohesion.” Luthra has also spoken out against anti-immigration rallies, particularly those targeting Indians in Australia.
At the official level, the Indian High Commission and Consulates in Australia swung into action, condemning the anti-migration street demonstrations centring on Indian migrants. India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, noted that senior leaders and politicians from both sides of Australia’s political aisle had issued statements “supporting the multicultural identity of Australia” and appreciating the role of the Indian-Australian community. \
Race-related controversies surrounding migrants are not unfamiliar in Australia. For much of its history, the country upheld the racially exclusionary ‘White Australia’ policy, which effectively restricted non-White migration. However, growing international pressure and domestic reforms in the 1960s and 1970s led to the dismantling of this discriminatory framework. By the early 1970s, Australia had officially abandoned the White Australia policy and begun to embrace multiculturalism, opening its doors to migrants from diverse backgrounds.
Initially, the number of Asian migrants remained modest, consisting of skilled professionals. The landscape changed significantly with the arrival of refugees, particularly the so-called ‘boat people’ from Vietnam in the aftermath of the Vietnam War. In subsequent years, migration expanded to include individuals of Asian and Indian descent from the United Kingdom (UK), Africa, Fiji (following the 1987 military coup), and other regions, shaping the multicultural fabric of modern Australia.
For much of its history, the country upheld the racially exclusionary ‘White Australia’ policy, which effectively restricted non-White migration.
As Australia–Asia engagement deepened, particularly from the early 1990s, migration from Asia increased. This demographic transformation prompted newly elected parliamentarian Pauline Hanson to make a racially charged statement in her maiden speech in the Senate in 1996. She declared: “I and most Australians want our immigration policy radically reviewed and multiculturalism abolished. I believe we are in danger of being swamped by Asians.”. Hanson further observed that between 1984 and 1996, 40 per cent of all migrants were of Asian origin, claiming they brought their own culture and religion, formed ghettos, and did not assimilate. She argued that Australians should have the right to decide who enters the country, and she advocated withdrawing the multicultural policy and halting immigration.
Akin to Price’s stance today, Hanson also refused to apologise for her earlier racist comments and did so again when, in 2016, she repeated such remarks in Parliament, claiming that Australia was at risk of being “swamped” by Muslims, a shift from her earlier focus on Asians to Muslims. Debates around identity, immigration, and multiculturalism have remained central to Australia’s political discourse. However, this is the first time Indian migrants have been explicitly brought to the centre of such debates.
It is true that Indians now lead the pack of migrant groups in Australia. Between 2013 and 2023, the number of Indian-born migrants more than doubled, rising from 378,480 in 2013 to 845,800 in 2023. In just two years, from 2022 to 2024, nearly one million people from India arrived in Australia—about half on visitor visas and the other half on student visas, skilled employment visas, and other temporary categories. Many among these groups would apply for permanent residency when eligible and, ultimately, citizenship.
This is the first time Indian migrants have been explicitly brought to the centre of such debates.
Over the past four financial years, from 2020 to 2024, the Indian-born population has consistently been the second-largest migrant community in Australia, after the UK. Indians have been the number one choice of employer-sponsored visa. Indian students constitute the largest and second-largest cohort of international students, depending on a particular year.
With the growth in numbers, the Indian presence has become increasingly visible across many professions and the service sector. As the community expands, places of worship, spiritual centres around Babas, Gurus and cult figures, cultural events, music, art, film, grocery stores, and restaurants are emerging rapidly across Australian cities, with concentrations such as Harris Park in Sydney, making the Indian community stand out. These developments contribute significantly to Australia’s workforce, economy, and cultural diversity. However, they are sometimes viewed negatively, as reflected in occasional political statements and the recent anti-India rally.
About a decade ago, when India–Australia relations began to improve after decades of a narrowly defined relationship marked by mutual neglect and even occasional disdain, a series of opportunistic and racially motivated assaults on Indian students occurred in Australia. Indian media outlets gave the incidents bold headlines, prompting India’s External Affairs Minister to visit Australia. The visit not only addressed concerns about the safety and well-being of Indians but also provided an opportunity to strengthen the India–Australia relationship, with assurances of support from both federal and state governments.
This time, however, there was little political intervention from India, reflecting the maturity of a relationship now firmly grounded in economic, diplomatic, and security ties. It also highlights the strength of the Indian diaspora, which can safeguard its own interests, raise concerns with the appropriate authorities, and draw attention to them through both conventional and social media, as seen in recent weeks and months.
Despite the cracks revealed by this new race discourse, explicitly targeting the Indian community, the deep and resilient foundations of Australia–India relations are expected to endure and grow further.
While Australia–India relations have strengthened over the past decade, India’s image and perception in Australia still lag behind those of other Asian countries. A recent survey commissioned by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to assess Australia–India relations through the perspectives of non-Indian Australians and Indian-Australians found that only 12 percent of Australians have travelled to India, and just 7 percent view India as Australia’s most important economic partner, with China considered as the most important partner in the region. Around three in five Australians admitted to having either a poor or very poor understanding of Indian culture. The survey also revealed that concerns about racial discrimination among Indian-Australians remain high.
Sporadic political debates centred on race and migration are unlikely to disappear and will surface occasionally in a democratic country with free speech. However, with robust policies, political will, and input from migrant communities, Australia is well equipped to handle such episodes with political deftness.
The latest episode will likely haunt the Liberal Party and Australian domestic politics for years. Yet, despite the cracks revealed by this new race discourse, explicitly targeting the Indian community, the deep and resilient foundations of Australia–India relations are expected to endure and grow further.
Purnendra Jain is Emeritus Professor in the Department of Asian Studies at the University of Adelaide.
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