Indian-born Deepa Mathew slams Australian Prime Minister’s immigration remarks: “I’m not here to wipe my butt”

An Indian-origin political candidate has criticized the South Australian premier, saying his comments about immigrants were insulting.Families First’s South Australian upper house candidate Deepa Mathew says she was hurt by comments made by Premier Peter Malinauskas during a question and answer session in Adelaide this week.According to Australia Today, Malinaskas spoke at an event organized by the Australian Council for Economic Development and asked One Nation voters to think about “who will feed you, bathe you and wipe your ass when you are 90” if immigration is cut.The Prime Minister spoke of plans to increase skilled migration to help fill jobs in defence, mining and house-building. He said South Australia needed thousands of additional skilled workers each year, including for submarine projects. He warned that without steady immigration, the state could lose economic growth and good-paying jobs.Matthew moved to Adelaide from India with her husband and baby twenty years ago. She said the prime minister’s language used stereotyped immigrants.“Like thousands of other immigrants, we come here seeking opportunity, freedom and a better future,” she said.She added: “Reducing immigrants to people who exist solely to ‘wipe the bum’ is offensive and goes against the mandate of the Prime Minister’s Office.”Matthew worked as a banker before starting his own small business. She said her family has worked hard, paid taxes and taken an active role in the community since moving to the state. And said discussions about immigration should be handled with more caution and respect.“South Australia needs a fair, orderly and sustainable immigration policy,” she said.“We must align the immigration environment with housing supply, infrastructure and cost of living pressures rather than using immigration as a political prop,” she added.The comments were also criticized by One Nation’s leading upper house candidate for South Australia Cory Bernardi. He said the wording was inappropriate and unfair to nursing staff, adding aged care was an important and respected profession.A government spokesman said it was “extremely disappointing” that the Prime Minister’s comments had been distorted for political reasons.Malinauskas acknowledged that calling for more immigration may not be popular with everyone, but said it was necessary to fill job shortages and support the state’s long-term growth.