Jacinta Price takes on Elon Musk inspired role in Coalition revamp

Gearing up for a federal election just “weeks” away, Peter Dutton has unveiled his brand new frontbench, with Jacinta Price and David Coleman the big winners.

The face of the ‘no’ campaign for the Voice referendum Jacinta Price has been catapulted into a historic new portfolio in the Coalition’s shadow ministry, inspired by billionaire Elon Musk’s role in the Trump White House.

Whispers of an Opposition reshuffle first began in December but leader Peter Dutton used the Australia Day long weekend — traditionally seen as the unofficial start of an election year — to announce his revamped team. 

Revealing the changes in Cairns on Saturday, Mr Dutton hinted he was prepared for the federal election to be around the corner, saying it could be just “a matter of weeks” away.

Taking inspiration from the new Donald Trump administration, Northern Territory Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price will lead the newly created government efficiency portfolio alongside her current Indigenous affairs role. 

President Trump created a government efficiency role for billionaire friend and backer Elon Musk.

“In this new role, Jacinta will be looking closely at how we can achieve a more efficient use of taxpayers’ money, where possible, at a time when a major cause of homegrown inflation is rapid and unrestrained government spending,” Mr Dutton said on the new role.

In a surprise move, the hotly contested foreign affairs shadow portfolio went to Banks MP David Coleman — over popular contenders including the Liberal deputy leader Sussan Ley, home affairs spokesman James Paterson, immigration spokesman Dan Tehan and ex-frontbencher Julian Leeser. 

David Coleman. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Deputy Leader of the Opposition Sussan Ley. Picture: Martin Ollman

Mr Coleman had an impressive performance in communications overseeing the Coalition’s push for a social media ban — but his name was not shopped around as a front runner in the days leading up to the reshuffle.

Although Mr Leeser, who sensationally left the frontbench over the Coalition’s opposition to the Voice referendum, missed out on the primary portfolio, he was welcomed back into the fold with the assistant foreign affairs portfolio. 

Mr Paterson has been welcomed into the tightly held opposition leadership group.

“These appointments are excellent additions to the Coalition’s strong, experienced, and united team,” Mr Dutton said announcing the changes.

Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

”We have a Prime Minister who spent the first part of this term distracted by his signature domestic policy – the divisive $450 million Voice referendum – and, since then, he has failed to address the cost of living crisis faced by Australians.”

Communications will now be taken by western Sydney MP Melissa McIntosh who will join the shadow cabinet. 

The Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton. Picture: Gaye Gerard

Another new portfolio of shadow minister for Indigenous health services will go to Senator Kerrynne Liddle while outgoing government services spokesman Paul Fletcher will be replaced by Tasmania Senator Claire Chandler.

South Australian MP Tony Pasin also entered the frontbench as the shadow spokesman for roads and road safety while West Australian Senator Matt O’Sullivan took on the assistant education portfolio. 

As both parties hone in on cost of living as the key election issue, energy spokesman Ted O’Brien has also taken on the energy affordability and reliability portfolio.

NDIS spokesman Michael Sukkar will become the manager of Opposition business. 

Originally published as Jacinta Price takes on Elon Musk inspired role in Coalition revamp