Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, a Liberal Senator, is facing mounting pressure to apologize for comments she made regarding Indian Australians and their voting patterns, but right-leaning members of parliament are rallying around her. Price suggested that the Labor government was encouraging migration from India to boost its electoral prospects, a claim that has been widely criticized as false and offensive.

The controversy began after Price's interview on ABC last week, where she claimed the government was bringing in migrants "from particular countries over others" to win votes, specifically mentioning the Indian community. These remarks sparked immediate backlash from across the political spectrum, with many calling for an apology.

Amid the criticism, Price issued a clarification stating that Australia has a non-discriminatory migration policy and that any suggestions to the contrary were a mistake. However, she stopped short of offering a direct apology, and later insisted she had nothing to apologize for, blaming the ABC interviewer for pursuing the issue.

The situation escalated when Price accused a Liberal colleague, Alex Hawke, of "cowardly and inappropriate" behavior after he reportedly berated her staff following her initial comments. According to Price, Hawke implied that she could face consequences similar to those of another unnamed female Coalition member if she did not comply with his requests. Hawke has denied these allegations, stating he was simply trying to convince Price to apologize immediately.

Despite the widespread condemnation, some right-leaning MPs have voiced their support for Price, although specific names and details of their support are not available in the provided context. It's important to note that former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce told Price to apologise in order to move on from the issue, while also backing Price's point that migration was out of control. Opposition leader Sussan Ley has stated Price's comments were wrong and should not have taken place. However, Ley has refrained from apologizing on Price's behalf.

The controversy has sparked serious damage control within the Liberal Party, as leaders attempt to repair ties with the Indian Australian community. Opposition spokesperson for legal affairs Julian Leeser has "unreservedly apologized" to Indian Australians for Price's comments. Ley convened a roundtable with community leaders and visited the Sydney suburb of Harris Park, known as "Little India," to address concerns.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has also weighed in, calling on Price to apologize for the hurt her comments have caused. He refuted Price's claims, emphasizing that they are untrue and that her own colleagues are urging her to apologize. The New South Wales state government convened a meeting of community groups to combat rising anti-Indian sentiment.

Price has expressed regret for not being clearer in her initial comments but has not issued a direct apology. She maintains that her intention was to highlight concerns about Labor's mass migration agenda and its impact on housing, infrastructure, and services.