UPDATE: Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has been removed from the shadow cabinet by Opposition Leader Sussan Ley as of Wednesday evening, marking a significant shift in her political trajectory. The Northern Territory senator, known for her outspoken views and popularity among conservative voters, will now return to the backbench but has vowed to “speak up” on crucial national issues.
This latest development comes after Price faced criticism for her failure to publicly support Ley‘s leadership, raising questions about her future within the party. Her meteoric rise in politics was marked by her strong opposition to the Indigenous Voice referendum, which garnered her substantial support among conservative constituents.
The timing of this ousting is critical, occurring just months after the coalition’s May 2023 election defeat, which has left the Liberal Party reeling. It follows a week of controversy surrounding Price‘s comments about Indian migrants, further complicating her relationship with party leadership.
In her statement following the decision, Price expressed disappointment but also resolve. “I will learn from this episode. No individual is bigger than a party,” she stated, indicating her intention to focus on issues that resonate with millions of Australians, particularly in the realm of immigration.
Political analysts are weighing in on the implications of Price‘s return to the backbench. Zareh Ghazarian, head of politics at Monash University, noted that her position in the upper house presents a significant barrier to her aspirations for leadership. He remarked, “It would be a very risky move at the moment, with Labor still rating highly in opinion polls.”
Despite her setback, former Liberal Prime Minister Tony Abbott believes Price will continue to be an influential voice within the party. He stated that her contributions are vital to the coalition’s future.
Additionally, Andrew Hastie, the opposition’s home affairs spokesman, confirmed that there are no immediate threats to Ley‘s leadership, stating, “The knives are not being sharpened.” He emphasized the need for unity within the party, especially at this critical juncture.
As Price prepares to take a more vocal stance on immigration and other pressing issues, all eyes will be on how her return to the backbench affects her political ambitions and the overall dynamics within the Liberal Party. The situation remains fluid, with potential implications for the party’s strategy and leadership moving forward.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
