Senator's Swift Reversal on Controversial Rally Appearance
Liberal Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has dramatically withdrawn as the headline speaker from an upcoming anti-immigration rally in Sydney, just hours after publicly declaring she was 'honoured' to participate in the event. The Northern Territory senator's initial endorsement of the 'Put Australia First' rally, which features a virtual appearance by controversial British far-right activist Tommy Robinson, was abruptly removed from social media platforms less than 24 hours after being posted.
Event Details and Political Fallout
The rallies, organised by anti-lockdown protester Monica Smit and scheduled for late November in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, have drawn significant criticism due to their association with Robinson and previous similar gatherings that turned violent. Senator Price's initial social media post on Friday enthusiastically promoted the Sydney event, stating she was 'honoured to stand with fellow Australians who share our unyielding commitment to national sovereignty and prosperity.'
The situation escalated when Guardian Australia contacted Nampijinpa Price's office on Friday afternoon to inquire about her comfort level appearing alongside Robinson, known for his connections to fascist and anti-Islamic groups. By Saturday morning, a spokesperson for the senator cited 'personal commitments' as the reason for her withdrawal, though the timing raised questions about whether political pressure influenced the decision.
Background and Broader Context
This incident follows previous controversy surrounding Senator Price's comments about immigration. In August, she faced criticism for falsely claiming that federal Labor was promoting migration from specific ethnic groups, particularly India, to grow electoral support. Although she later walked back these comments, her refusal to apologise or express support for Liberal leader Sussan Ley resulted in her removal from the shadow ministry.
Organiser Monica Smit has attempted to distance the upcoming rallies from previous events that attracted neo-Nazi participants, stating they strongly condemn extremist views and will not provide speaking opportunities to attendees. However, the inclusion of Tommy Robinson, who has multiple criminal convictions and promotes the 'great replacement' conspiracy theory, continues to generate significant concern among political observers and community groups.
The rapid reversal by Senator Price highlights the ongoing tension within Australian politics regarding immigration policy and the challenges politicians face when associating with controversial figures and movements.
