Liberal Senator Price Accuses Colleague Hawke of Inappropriate Conduct Amid Indian Migrant Debate

Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has publicly accused Liberal MP Alex Hawke of 'cowardly and inappropriate' behavior, alleging that he berated her staff and pressured them with warnings that she could 'end up like another female member of the Coalition,' believed to be Jane Hume, who faced backlash for controversial remarks. Hawke has denied berating anyone, stating his interactions with Price's staff were brief and professional, and that he later spoke directly with Price to offer help and urge her to apologize to the Indian Australian community for her comments about migration and voting patterns, which she described as a 'mistake.' Price, however, rejected the notion that she should apologize and criticized the Liberal Party for not standing up for women mistreated by colleagues. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley condemned Price's original remarks but did not apologize on her behalf. Hawke condemned the targeting of Indian Australians and accepted Price's explanation that her comments were misinterpreted and weaponized by Labor. The dispute underscores internal tensions within the Liberal Party over Price's controversial immigration comments and highlights broader concerns about party culture and treatment of female members.