Former NSW senator resigns from Liberal Party, unleashes on ‘lazy,’ ‘inept’ members
Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has hit back at former NSW senator Hollie Hughes, rejecting suggestions she is being ‘used’ by conservative colleagues and future leadership contenders.
Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has hit back at former NSW senator Hollie Hughes, rejecting suggestions she is being ‘used’ by conservative colleagues and future leadership contenders.
Ms Hughes took several shots at unnamed “lazy,” and “inept” members after announcing her resignation from the Liberal Party live on radio on Tuesday.
She had accused the Northern Territory senator of acting as a “puppet” for the Coalition’s internal “riot faction” after Senator Price was photographed alongside MPs opposed to the net zero target.
Speaking to 2GB’s Ben Fordham, Senator Price dismissed the accusation as “a ridiculous notion”.
“It’s pretty disappointing to hear that sort of commentary from a woman who’s saying she’s going to quit the Liberal Party,” she said.
“It’s always been the argument by raging lefties, that I can’t think for myself, that I have to be used by others.”“I mean, seriously. Because we were walking down the hallway in front of our colleagues, somehow we’re being used? It’s just a ridiculous notion.”
Ms Hughes resigned from the NSW Liberal Party after denouncing her former party as “a rabble,” and accused members of undermining Sussan Ley.
Ms Hughes, who left parliament at the May election after losing preselection on the NSW ticket, confirmed her exit on Tuesday afternoon.
The senator-turned-publican also unleashed on unnamed members of the party, telling 2GB they were “completely inept, who are lazy, who are not across the details”.
“The direction that some people want to take the party is reflective of Menzies’ values anymore,” she said.
“I don’t think they reflect what a lot of Australians feel anymore and I’m, quite frankly, I’m just sick of it.”
She also threatened to deliver “home truths” about the “undermining” happening within Liberal Party, and said she wanted to share them “without the hypocrisy of being a paid up member”.
“I’m not going to do what some former parliamentarians have done (and) stay in the party yet snipe from the sideline,” she said.
Later in a statement shared on social media, Ms Hughes said she would continue to support Ms Ley from the sidelines, and said the Liberal leader had presented an “incredibly solid” energy policy after she joined the Nationals in ditching net zero from their policy platform.
“Now I no longer have the ability to support Sussan in the party room, I believe I can best support her and the good and effective members of the party room from outside of the party.
Following the Liberal’s historic loss in May, Ms Hughes attacked leader aspirant Angus Taylor for failing to build an economic policy.
“I have concerns about his capability. I feel we have zero economic policy to sell,” Hughes told ABC at the time.
“I don’t know what he’s been doing for three years. There was no tax policy, there was no economic narrative.”
On Wednesday morning, Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley also weighed in, describing Hughes as a long-time friend.
“Hollie is a dear friend, I’ve known her for 25 years. We were passionate rural Liberals, and we still are,” Ms Ley said on Today.
“The work she’s done for children, families and communities will be missed in Parliament.”
Since leaving politics, Ms Hughes has begun commentating for 2GB and Sky. She also bought and opened the Rydal Pub in the NSW village of Rydal, about 15 minutes from Lithgow.
Originally published as Former NSW senator resigns from Liberal Party, unleashes on ‘lazy,’ ‘inept’ members
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