Sydney, Oct 1 (IANS): After former Greens party leader Bob Brown accused billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani of "leeching" off the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, Adani Australia on Tuesday said the Gandhian values are at the core of the company.

Brown held a protest at a statue of Gandhi in Brisbane -- unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 - to complain about Adani's sponsorship of Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary celebrations in the city, reports Australian Associated Press.

"We are proud of the ways in which we have been able to contribute towards Gandhi's vision for India and are proud to support events like this here in Australia, dedicated to his memory," Adani Australia said in a statement.

The company said it has contributed about $32.8 million in charitable work to help Indian communities based on Gandhian values of "using wealth, talent and privileges for those who are not-so-fortunate".

Earlier, the former Greens senator said the Bob Brown foundation has appealed to the Australia India Business Council, which is hosting the celebrations, to let his foundation sponsor the celebrations instead of Adani Australia.