Shadow minister for government efficiency Jacinta Nampijinpa Price gave a blistering speech on Sunday. During a campaign stop in Perth, she promised to “make Australia great again.” The announcement immediately led to comparisons to Donald Trump’s well-known campaign promise. Afterwards, Price alleged that she hadn’t even understood that she had made the statement. While her comments have ignited fiery debates over her motives, they are drawing attention to what her new role could mean, specifically a focus on improving efficiency and accountability within the Coalition.
Price’s remarks came as she introduced Opposition Leader Peter Dutton at a local bowling club, where she emphasized the necessity of comprehensive education on Australia’s history. It was vital, she said, that people understand all aspects — good and bad — of the country’s history. This newfound awareness is key to creating a new and better reality.
During her remarks, Price emphasized the Coalition’s dedication to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in government jobs. She asserted that her appointment as shadow minister for government efficiency was not merely a political gesture but a serious endeavor to ensure “the right person for the job” in various sectors.
Shadow Minister Role and Trump Comparisons
Appointed in January, Jacinta Nampijinpa Price’s position as shadow minister for government efficiency has drawn interest due to its perceived connection to Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE. Critics have argued that her comments mirror the Trump political playbook, a theory that Price has shot down emphatically.
In response to questions about her comment, she stated, “The media, you’re all obsessed with Donald Trump. We’re not obsessed with Donald Trump. We’re actually obsessed with ensuring that we can improve the circumstances for Australians.” This cavalier attitude to media scrutiny speaks more to her resolve to keep the focus on Australian issues, as opposed to foreign party political machinations.
Despite the controversy surrounding her words, Price emphasized that her role should not be misconstrued as an “ode to Donald Trump.” She reiterated her commitment to Australian values and stated, “No, I’m an Australian and I want to ensure that we get Australia back on track.”
Educational Reform and Historical Context
In her National Day address, Price expressed a passionate desire to see Australia’s history taught completely and accurately. She contended that we cannot create a healthy sense of national pride until we start acknowledging the positive and negative parts of our nation’s past. We need to send a clear message that our children can be proud to call themselves Australian. It starts with equity in this country,” she stated.
Price’s mission to bring historic education to the forefront is to foster an educational environment that promotes awareness, rather than division. The good, the bad and the ugly equally matter. They give us profile, they give us context, they help us understand who we are as a people,” she continued. This worldview underpins her dream for an Indigenous Australian national unity. She says it needs to be grounded in principles of mutual respect and an understanding of the country’s complicated past.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton echoed Price’s sentiments in his own speech delivered at the summit. He asserted, “I really think that if we want to make their lives better and we want to get our country back on track, we have to change the government.” Dutton’s comments played right into Price’s calls for reform on an educational level, and a holistic understanding of Australia’s history.
Commitment to Indigenous Affairs
On Indigenous affairs, Price has garnered attention for her commitments to audit all spending within the portfolio if elected. Her emphasis on accountability is just one component of a larger strategy designed to deliver real, on-the-ground results for Indigenous people in communities all over Australia.
Her commitment to good government was clear from her testimony. At first she touched on moving successful delivery beyond just her portfolio. She asked, ‘Why wouldn’t we roll out that kind of delivery to Australians across every portfolio?’ Her speech highlighted the need for rigor and discipline in implementing what we know works.
As discussions around her statements continue, critics and supporters alike will be closely watching how Price navigates her role and addresses the pressing issues facing Australia today.
