The Liberal Party is grappling with internal turmoil following controversial remarks made by Jacinta Nampijinpa Price regarding Indian migrants. Her comments have raised concerns about the party's ability to connect with multicultural communities, a task that was already proving difficult.

Some party members fear that the situation reflects a deeper issue within the Liberals, suggesting that they struggle to engage with multicultural Australia. One Liberal MP expressed concern that adopting strategies similar to those of One Nation could lead the party further into trouble.

Liberal Senator Dave Sharma, who has Indian heritage, expressed regret over the distress caused by Price's comments, emphasizing that they do not represent the views of the party. He stated, "I know that many Australians of Indian ancestry — and Indian migrants living in Australia — are distressed." This sentiment was echoed by other party members who sought to distance themselves from Price's remarks, aiming to convey a message of change and denounce language that targets specific communities.

Price's comments, made last Wednesday, suggested that the federal government was favoring migrants from certain countries to gain votes, specifically mentioning the Indian community. Following backlash, she claimed that her comments were misinterpreted and that her concern was about the scale of migration rather than migration itself.

In response to the fallout, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley reached out to the Indian diaspora through video messages, highlighting their contributions to Australia. Ley stated, "You contribute as Australian Indians so much to our country. We know how hard you work, your family values, and the contribution you make across this country, and as opposition leader, I value that incredibly."

The Liberal Party is also wary of its relationship with the Chinese community, especially after Victorian senator Jane Hume's controversial remarks about "Chinese spies". Ley's outreach efforts aim to mitigate any potential backlash from these communities.

Despite the party's attempts to clarify its stance, the perception that the Liberals are anti-immigration is growing. Ley has publicly stated that Price's comments were wrong and assured that "corrections have been made." However, the messaging at recent rallies has raised concerns about the party's association with race-based migration discussions.

Political analysts note that the demographic landscape in Australia has shifted significantly, with 31.5% of the population born overseas. This change has made multicultural electorates crucial for political success. Kos Samaras, a former Labor strategist, pointed out that in the 50 most diverse seats, first and second-generation migrants now make up the majority, and almost all of these seats are held by Labor.

Ley's efforts to align the party with multiculturalism face challenges, particularly regarding her authority within a divided party. The ongoing immigration debate and the fallout from Price's comments may further complicate the Liberals' efforts to rebuild their standing in diverse communities.