Australian Political Parties Compete for Indian Australian Voters

Major Australian political parties, including the Australian Labor Party, the Coalition, and One Nation, are competing for the support of Indian Australian voters ahead of next month's Victorian state election and the 2028 federal election. This strategic shift follows the emergence of Indian-born residents as the largest migrant group in Australia.

Redbridge polling shows state Labor currently holds a marginal lead over the Liberal Party among this demographic. In response, the Victorian Coalition has attempted to attract voters by announcing the expansion of select-entry high schools in outer suburbs. However, the community has expressed feelings of alienation due to a national debate on cutting net overseas migration and the rise of anti-immigration rallies.

Political tensions have increased following claims by Coalition senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price that Labor promotes migration from specific ethnic groups to secure electoral gains. While Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently appeared alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a Melbourne rally attended by 25,000 people, community leaders argue that politicians offer platitudes at cultural events without publicly defending the broader value of migration.