Country Liberal Party Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has confirmed she has had “discussions” with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton about becoming the Coalition’s Indigenous Australians spokesperson.
The Coalition are searching for a replacement for Julian Leeser, who resigned from his position as shadow minister for Indigenous Australians on Tuesday.
Mr Leeser made the decision in order to throw his support behind the Voice to Parliament, as the Coalition frontbench are bound to the party’s stance on the Voice.
Speaking to Sky News Australia on Thursday morning, the Northern Territory Senator confirmed Mr Dutton had “mentioned” the role to her during his visit to Alice Springs this week.
“It’s been mentioned and that’s as far as I’ll go,” she told Sky News Australia’s Peter Stefanovic.
“It’s certainly come up in discussion.
“I’m grateful that there’s an incredible amount of support around the country in terms of the role.”
Ms Price added she had been grateful to have Mr Dutton in Alice Springs, where he had spoken with locals about the ongoing crime crisis and heard her concerns about issues in the area.
She indicated she was open to talking through the role with the Coalition leadership team, but didn’t want a promotion to detract from her work “on the ground”.
The Senator, known for championing Indigenous issues in the Northern Territory, said she wanted to keep making sure “key people are heard and listened to within the community” regardless of her portfolio.
“So we can try and bring about some pressure on the government and bring about some results,” she said.
Arrente woman Kerrynne Liddle – a Senator from South Australia – has also been floated as a potential replacement for Mr Leeser.
“She’s very passionate, she … is very keen to make sure the no is supported going toward,” Ms Price said.
“I’ve got a lot of time for her.”
Opposition home affairs spokesperson Karen Andrews told Sky News Australia she would “100 per cent” support both Senators Price and Liddle for the role.
“It’s ultimately a decision for Peter Dutton to take,” she said.
Source: skynews.com.au
