Jacinta Nampijinpa Price defection slammed as hostile Liberal takeover with Angus Taylor
Firebrand Northern Territory Nationals senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price's shock defection to the Liberal Party has been condemned by one insider as a hostile takeover attempt and a form of "desperate branch stacking" to boost Angus Taylor's leadership hopes.
In a move regarded as assisting a power grab by the movement's conservative wing, Senator Nampijinpa Price said she wanted to help the senior Coalition partner "rebuild and be strong for the benefit of the country" after Saturday's devastating election loss.
"The Liberal party room is my natural home given the Liberal Party is the freedom party, the party of responsibility," she told Sky.
"Given the current circumstance I think more than ever we need strong people and we need to be able to rebuild."
Live results: Find out what's happening in your seat as counting continues
Senator Nampijinpa Price's move allows her to join Mr Taylor's team in his bid to clinch the leadership, in a potential leadership ballot against Sussan Ley on Tuesday.
There has also been speculation she may seek the deputy leader's role in a joint-ticket with Mr Taylor, whose camp has denied suggestions of any deal.
The dramatic defection triggered a flood of reactions, with one senior Liberal party room source likening any attempt by her to secure one of the party's top jobs to former Queensland Nationals premier John Bjelke-Petersen's failed 1987 Coalition-splitting campaign to become prime minister.
"It's like Joh for Canberra," said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because party rules prevent colleagues from publicly criticising each other.
WA Liberal Dean Smith said Senator Nampijinpa Price's move was an "interesting development" and he looked forward to speaking with her about her performance in the campaign and that of the NT's Country Liberal Party, in whose name she appeared on the Senate ballot paper.
"That's the primary measure of people's performance … let's see how things transpire over coming days," Senator Smith told ABC Perth radio.
Senator Nampijinpa Price's transition to the Liberals potentially shifts what is understood to be a finely divided party room with around 20 conservatives, 20 moderates and about 12 centrists that are still undecided.
Other leadership contenders include current deputy Sussan Ley and shadow immigration spokesman Dan Tehan.
The NT senator's move is also a blow to the National Party, which looks to have lost two senators, with NSW's Perin Davey set to miss out.
Critics may also regard it as a slap in the face for Nationals leader David Littleproud, who negotiated an extra position in shadow cabinet for Senator Nampijinpa Price to win promotion as Mr Dutton's shadow minister for government spending cuts.
"I appreciate Senator Nampijinpa Price has ambition that extends beyond the possibilities of the Nationals and I wish her well," Mr Littleproud said in a statement.
Queensland Nationals senator Matt Canavan was less restrained, portraying Senator Nampijinpa Price as a turncoat.
"Jacinta Price's decision to put her own ambition over the will of the voters is exactly why people are sick of politicians," he said in a post on X.
"Jacinta Price was elected less than a week ago as a senator that would sit in the Nationals party room.
"If Jacinta wanted to sit in the Liberal party room she could have stood for a Liberal seat just a week ago. Why didn't she?"
NSW Liberal senator James Paterson was another who took to social media, sending her a "welcome home" message.
The ABC understands a mooted unity leadership ticket with Mr Taylor and Senator Nampijinpa Price could backfire among moderate and undecided MPs, not least as she had never been a member of the Liberals nor sat in any of its meetings.
The deputy position is also held by a lower-house member.
Senator Nampijinpa Price drew nationwide attention after becoming a leading No campaigner during the 2023 Voice referendum and has been an important fundraising figure across branches in the lead up to the campaign.
However, she was blamed for helping derail defeated opposition leader Peter Dutton's efforts to distance himself from Donald Trump's politics after telling reporters she wanted to "make Australia great again".
Photographs on Facebook of Senator Nampijinpa Price wearing a MAGA cap at Christmas were also widely distributed during the campaign.
"Angus's economics and Jacinta's Trumpism have been rejected," said the top Liberal source.
In a statement late on Thursday, Liberal leaders said the party would meet at 10am on Tuesday in Canberra to elect a leader of the opposition and a deputy.
"In relation to electorates where the outcome is uncertain and counting continues, the federal director of the Liberal Party is tasked with determining which members and candidates are projected to win and therefore who can participate," they said in a statement.
"With a bias towards enfranchisement, we have asked Andrew Hirst to make these determinations by 10am on Monday … to ensure appropriate travel arrangements can be facilitated."
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