Labor is calling on Liberal backbencher Gladys Liu to explain her roles in groups with ties to the Chinese Communist Party, after she admitted last week to a membership she had previously denied.

Gladys Liu in Parliament last week. Credit:AAP

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said Ms Liu should give a statement to Parliament to explain her links to the associations without the “outrageous” government claims that the debate over her past was about race.

“Australia has national security issues. The fact is these have to be debated soberly,” Mr Albanese said on Sunday.

“They need to be debated in a way that is mature.”