The Price is right: NT senator to lead Coalition fight against voice as Dutton reshuffles front bench

Indigenous senator and opponent of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s ‘voice’ referendum Jacinta Price has been appointed to a key role in Peter Dutton’s cabinet.

Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has become the shadow minister for Indigenous Australians with Peter Dutton announcement of a front bench reshuffle Tuesday morning.

Multiple sources had indicated that the Country Liberal senator was likely to be tapped on the shoulder to replace Julian Leeser in the role after he stepped down from his role in shadow cabinet over his support for Labor’s “voice to parliament” referendum.

Mr Dutton confirmed the move at a press conference Tuesday saying, “I’m absolutely delighted that Senator Jacinta Price will take on the role of shadow minister for Indigenous Australians.”

“Many Australians know Jacinta well. She’s a fighter. She’s a warrior for Indigenous Australians. And she’s a very proud Territorian.”

Ms Price, an Aboriginal woman of Warlpiri and Celtic heritage, is widely regarded as the Coalition’s strongest opponent of the referendum and is the public face of the grassroots Fair Australia campaign against the voice.

A vocal critic of the constitutional amendment, Ms Price took a leading role in the Nationals decision to oppose the voice.

Jacinta Nampijinpa Price will fill the vacancy left by Julian Leeser. Picture: Mark Brake

Speaking at a press conference for the party last November, Ms Price said: “One of our fundamental principles is that we are all regarded as equal under the law, despite race, despite gender, despite anything else.”

“And why should I as an Indigenous Australian be governed under a separate entity than the rest of Australia because of my race?”

Julian Leeser stepped down after announcing he would support the voice to parliament. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Ben Symons

Since Mr Leeser’s departure, speculation has grown over the potential appointment, however it is understood that some within the Liberals were opposed to their party losing a front bench position to their Coalition partners.

If confirmed, the move would be seen as a boost for the Liberals’ push for the “no” case against the referendum, which was approved at a special party room meeting two weeks ago but which led to a minority of MPs speaking out publicly against their party’s decision.

It was also confirmed that Western Australian senator Michaelia Cash was named shadow attorney-general, to replace the other role vacated by Mr Leeser.

It was also announced that Home Affairs shadow minister Karen Andrews will quit the front bench and announce her retirement at the next election, to be replaced by Senator James Paterson.

Mr Paterson formerly chaired the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, and is widely considered one of the Coalition’s most knowledgeable voices on foreign interference.

Originally published as The Price is right: NT senator to lead Coalition fight against voice as Dutton reshuffles front bench