Dutton had a decision to make. On Saturday, he chose Jacinta Price

Fans and colleagues of Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price have often said she should be prime minister. On Saturday, she acted like one, overshadowing the main party leaders on the eve of their campaign launches.

The Northern Territory senator had arrived like a rock star to a suburban bowling club for the Liberals’ campaign launch in Perth. A hundred-strong crowd of party faithful cheered each mention of her name. Fans swarmed for autographs.

Perth woman Rosemary Ritorto was thrilled to meet Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, whose performance on Saturday upstaged her boss and Anthony Albanese.Credit: James Brickwood

But the real show came when the club doors closed and the cameras rolled.

When the press conference’s final question turned to Price’s plans for cutting government waste in a potential Coalition cabinet, the senator seized her moment. In 11 minutes, she traversed everything from the indoctrination of students to “silly ideas around ideological things like colonising breastfeeding”.

There had been no plan for Dutton’s spokeswoman for Indigenous affairs and government efficiency to take centre stage. Half an hour earlier, Price had led a rallying cry to “make Australia great again”. Asked about the remark, she said she couldn’t remember making it. Dutton ducked questions about it as he tried to distance his campaign from Donald Trump.

As Price got into full flight, Dutton’s team tried to end the press conference.

But Price kept talking. Dutton’s eyes darted between her and the room.

He had a decision to make. While Price’s role leading the No campaign in the Voice referendum set the Coalition on an upward trajectory, her anti-abortion remarks in October threatened to throw the opposition into a culture war Dutton wanted no part of. Parts of the WA Indigenous community protested her presence this week.

Then, the opposition leader ensured one of the most memorable moments of this year’s campaign: he decided the risk was worth it and gave Price carte blanche.

“Let’s have a couple more [questions] for Jacinta,” Dutton told the press pack. “Who hasn’t asked a question of Jacinta? Yes, mate. You fire away.”

It was a quick calculation by the opposition leader. As the Coalition lags in the polls, election day will reveal whether it was the right one.

Price has charm. Voters rated her second-most likeable leader in this masthead’s Resolve poll. Few Australian politicians arouse genuine passion, but Price’s wide smile and compelling way of speaking carries a celebrity-like appeal. Her fans see a patriot who does not want to divide people by race, religion or gender.

“She’s an amazing woman who’s triumphed over so much – she hasn’t let anything get to her,” said Rosemary Ritorto, who jumped for joy after meeting Price – an event she travelled across town for on Saturday. “I just love how she’s bringing everyone together. She’s a strong role model ... I really think she’s the best thing for Australia since Vegemite.”

Dutton sees a huge asset. He welcomed Price to Saturday’s stage as “one of the great stars of our show”. By the end of the conference, she had stolen the show. “That’s exactly why Jacinta Price will be in a cabinet that I lead,” Dutton said in parting remarks.

But as Price left Saturday’s event with a grin, social media was awash with MAGA memes. Staffers plugged in at Labor’s headquarters on the east coast took to their feet and cheered. They, too, think they’re onto a winner.

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