Aussies divided over Jacinta Nampijinpa Price’s Liberal leadership bid as concerning similarity to Peter Dutton emerges

By CHARLOTTE MCINTYRE FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 07:23 BST, 11 May 2025 | Updated: 07:30 BST, 11 May 2025

Aussies have been left divided after Jacinta Nampijinpa Price announced her candidacy for deputy leader of the Liberal Party.

The senator announced the news on Sunday and endorsed Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor for party leadership after she defected from the Nationals earlier this week.

Many Aussies are skeptical of Senator Price throwing her hat into the Liberal Party’s leadership race after concerns about Peter Dutton’s likeness to US President Donald Trump played a significant role in the election loss.

Mr Dutton, who made history as the first Opposition leader to lose his seat at a federal election, was frequently compared to Trump during the campaign.

An image of Senator Price wearing a Make America Great Again hat emerged during the federal election campaign.

Coalition politicians were also forced to downplay her referencing of Trump’s signature slogan at an election rally when she told voters she would ‘make Australia great again’.

Writing on X, one Aussie commented: ‘If the Liberal Party elects Angus Taylor and the “import” from the Nationals Jacinta Price into “leadership” positions it will show just how completely f****d up the Liberal Party now is. 

‘Taylor was a MAJOR contributor to their MASSIVE election loss & Price is a Trump fan!’

Jacinta Nampijinpa Price (pictured) has announced her candidacy for deputy leader of the Liberal Party

A photo posted to Facebook of Senator Price and her husband Colin Lillie wearing ‘Make America Great Again’ hats on Christmas Day (pictured)

‘Currently mired in a race to lead the Liberal Party, Angus Taylor revealed the break-glass option by poaching Jacinta Price from the Nationals,’ another said.

‘A key criticism of Dutton and his campaign was too much Trump, so Taylor’s masterstroke is to add more Trump.’

Someone else said: ‘Ha ha ha, Angus Taylor and Jacinta Price are an unelectable joke!’

Meanwhile, many Aussies are backing Senator Price and Shadow Treasurer Taylor.

‘I am calling for Jacinta Nampijinpa Price to be the Leader of the Liberal Party,’ one wrote. 

‘She is the only one that has what it takes to lead and win elections.’

 ‘Jacinta Nampijinpa Price is going for the Deputy Leader of the Libs,’ another said.

‘She said if she doesn’t stand she may not get another opportunity. Good on her & good luck! 

Senator Price (pictured) has divided Aussies after defecting to the Liberals and throwing her hat into the leadership race

‘She wants a one country one people! Wants Australian indigenous not relying on Labor socialist welfare.’

Senator Price was a notable figure in the No campaign against the Indigenous Voice to Parliament and became a favourite in the party’s conservative wing.

Reflecting on the Australia Day debate, early in the election campaign, Senator Price won the support of many conservatives.

‘Our country is strongest when we stand together,’ she wrote in an opinion piece.

‘As my Indigenous heritage taught me, we all belong to this place equally. Regardless of race or heritage, your conception on this land means you belong to it.

‘Everyone gets the opportunity to pitch in to this place we call home, and gets the loyalty of mateship in faithful return.’   

Peter DuttonJacinta Price

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Aussies divided over Jacinta Nampijinpa Price’s Liberal leadership bid as concerning similarity to Peter Dutton emerges

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