The Winning Price for the Coalition’s ‘Voice’ Campaign

Shadow Minister for Child Protection and the Prevention of Family Violence Kerrynne Liddle (L) and Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians Jacinta Nampijinpa Price (R) look on as Australian Opposition Leader Peter Dutton speaks to media during a press conference in Adelaide, Australia, on April 18, 2023. AAP Image/Michael Errey

Commentary

The Price is Right was a popular TV show capturing the attention and following of many Australian viewers.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton correctly believes that in today’s political world, his Price is also right, and in turn, will attract the vote of many Australian electors for the centre-right Liberal-National Coalition and against “The Voice.”

Senator Jacinta Price’s much-deserved promotion as the opposition’s frontbench representative for Indigenous affairs is a genuine game-changer for the future of Australian politics and the opposition’s prospects. As is Senator James Patterson’s promotion to Home Affairs.

The elevation of these two outstanding performers is a clear stamping of authority by Dutton within his party room and the Coalition. It is also an indication that he means business—serious business.

In appointing Senator Price the opposition leader cast aside factors such as the senator being a first termer, of other MPs “deserving a go” at a cabinet position, the “over-representation” of the National Party in the shadow ministry, and the loss of a Queenslander (with Karen Andrews’ retirement). All this for one reason—merit.

And then, there was the selection of two shadow ministers from the Senate rather than the House of Representatives. The appointment of a front bench should always be based on merit. Nothing else should matter.

The Australian people wouldn’t accept other considerations for the selection of their national sports teams. Nor should they be in politics.

This picture shows the Opera House illuminated in the colours of the Aboriginal flag in Sydney on Australia Day on Jan. 26, 2023. Robert Wallace/AFP via Getty Images

To have acted so decisively cements Dutton as a man of action, courage, and commitment. His leadership is focused on outcomes. For him, that is to win government.

There can be no doubt that the issues de jure for the Australian people and the federal government, apart from the cost of living, will be The Voice referendum and national security, with the ongoing cyberattacks and threatening posture of the Beijing communist dictatorship.

The standout candidates for tackling those two areas of responsibility are Senators Price and Patterson.

Price’s Lived Indigenous Experience

Whilst national security will be a constant issue, the campaign for The Voice has a greater sense of immediacy given its pending referendum later this year.

Effective opposition to The Voice is vitally important if the principles on which government in Australia is to be undertaken in the future are to be preserved.

This excludes the practical consequences that will see The Voice needing to be consulted over every executive decision, a privilege not even the backbench is afforded.

This special treatment based on race will not be welcomed by Australians, and Senator Price is the one to remind them of this.

As support for The Voice stalls, with a strong “No” vote overtaking the strong “Yes” vote for the first time, Dutton’s determination to see off The Voice will be bolstered by the Northern Territory senator.

She brings with her the determining features of lived experience and a genuine heart for her people in the regions where the disparity of outcomes is the most obvious amongst Australia’s Aboriginal communities.

Country Liberal Party senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and 22 Indigenous community leaders at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on March 22, 2023. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

While some misdirected commentators suggest the overwhelming opposition to The Voice within the Coalition is at least in part due to the strength of the Queenslanders in the party room, they overlook the glaring fact that Queenslanders, along with Senator Price, see the day-to-day issues and have been able to convince their colleagues, if they needed convincing.

A strong opponent of The Voice is Queensland MP for Herbert, Phillip Thompson OAM.

Thompson’s regional seat of Townsville has a high proportion of Indigenous electors. He is married to an Indigenous lady.

His assessment is that not only is The Voice wrong in principle but is vehemently opposed by the Indigenous communities on the ground in his electorate.

In contrast, the inner-city metropolitan electorates of Australia are more likely to be convinced by feel-good rhetoric in the absence of lived experience and a comprehensive understanding of what is actually needed.

Giving expression to those practical, powerful, and persuasive sentiments will be Senator Price, who has already established herself as fearless, articulate, and measured—qualities missing thus far in the government’s advocacy.

Mere sentiment will not be enough to overcome the flaws in the design and the model of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, which are even acknowledged by Julian Leeser, who resigned from the Indigenous affairs portfolio because he supported The Voice.

Ironically Leeser’s resignation paved the way for Price’s appointment. The consequences of this act alone may well have unwittingly guaranteed the defeat of The Voice.

Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.