Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, the Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians, visited Bunbury in Western Australia as part of her campaign for the federal election. Event, the ticketed town hall meeting, drew widespread attention and backlash. Promoted as a platform to discuss Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s failed Voice to Parliament referendum and the Liberal Party’s plans for the future, the meeting was met with protests from Indigenous advocates outside the venue.
In 2023, Price became the face of opposition to providing First Nations people with a Voice to Parliament. She has done a miraculous job of winning support for her approach from the vast majority of Australians. Her arrival in the WA seat of Forrest came at a time of increased animosity toward Indigenous rights and representation. Almost 100 of those attendees had purchased tickets to listen to her speak, including sitting federal Liberal senator for WA, Michaelia Cash.
The Town Hall Meeting
This town hall meeting was all about addressing hurts and fears raised during the recent referendum on the Voice to Parliament. Members of the media were permitted to attend Price’s opening keynote address, but were prohibited from staying past the first ten minutes. This unilateral limitation on the press was a big red flag to attendees and observers alike who wondered about the transparency of such an event.
During her speech, Price emphasized her commitment to engaging with local issues and the necessity of implementing the Liberal Party’s vision for Australia. It was her comments on violence and sexual abuse rates in Indigenous communities that ignited a firestorm. Critics claimed her statements served to bolster the prejudices already held by non-Indigenous Australians.
“I didn’t mind that she came; I wish she had the decency to talk to our elders first … She’s disrespecting us,” – Garry Calgaret
Regardless of the firestorm over her comments, Price still focused on how she was prepared to address the community’s concerns. She stated, “I’m not going to allow myself to be bullied and intimidated by anybody at all,” reaffirming her determination to continue her advocacy for Indigenous Australians.
Protests Outside the Event
Outside the Bunbury venue, hundreds of protesters turned out to make their opposition to Price’s visit heard. Picard’s comments prompted an outcry from local Indigenous leaders. Her detractors slammed her for not meeting with the community’s elder statesmen before she ever touched down. Man on a mission Robert Eggington came all the way from Perth to participate in yesterday’s protest. He marched with fellow advocates, calling for peaceful conversation and the acknowledgement of Indigenous peoples’ voices.
Garry Calgaret, an Indigenous elder who participated in the demonstration, blasted Price for not consulting with local leaders. He remarked on the need for respect towards Indigenous culture and heritage, asserting, “This is our boodja, this is our country.” The protesters aimed to highlight their concerns about representation and advocacy for Indigenous rights, emphasizing that leadership requires more than just political rhetoric.
Community Reactions
Even though she had to walk past a very unfriendly reception outside, Jacinta Nampijinpa Price insisted that her reception in Bunbury made her feel at home. She thanked PANEL members for giving her the chance to talk to constituents about their concerns. Perhaps more important, the atmosphere during her visit was extremely polarized. As a process it sharply revealed the profound ideological rifts dividing debates on Indigenous rights and representation in contemporary Australia.
Price is committed to centering community voices in our work. Yet her pledge will undoubtedly be tested as she works to balance the many conflicting views on Indigenous issues. The protests outside her meeting reflect a broader struggle within Australian society as it grapples with its colonial history and seeks pathways toward reconciliation.
