Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, the Northern Territory senator, has found herself at the centre of a political debate after declaring she wanted to “make Australia great again” during a Coalition rally in Perth.
The phrase, famously tied to current US President Donald Trump, quickly drew comparisons, which Price firmly rejected, insisting her focus is on Australia — not American politics.
The rally, held today in the Perth seat of Tangney as part of the Coalition’s push to reclaim Labor-held seats in Western Australia, saw Price standing alongside Opposition Leader Peter Dutton. Addressing party supporters at a local bowling club, Price said: “We have incredible candidates right around the country that I’m so proud to be able to stand beside and to ensure that we can make Australia great again, that we can bring Australia back to its former glory, that we can get Australia back on track,” per The Guardian.
But it didn’t take long for reporters to zero in on the Trump-like phrasing. At a press conference immediately following her speech, Price brushed off the comparisons, claiming she hadn’t even realised she’d used the slogan. “Let’s be very, very clear, media, you’re 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,” she said.
Price has been tapped to lead a proposed government efficiency unit under a Coalition government — a role that would sit within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet post election. The unit aims to streamline government operations and cut wasteful spending.
Some commentators have drawn parallels between this idea and Elon Musk’s controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the US. However, Price dismissed any connection, stating her focus is firmly on Australian governance. “I have always said that I would want to conduct an audit … which is a first port of call should [we] move in government now,” she explained.
Labor wasted no time capitalising on Price’s remarks, accusing the Coalition of borrowing heavily from American-style politics. Treasurer Jim Chalmers called Dutton’s campaign “a cut and paste from the United States”, pointing out similarities in slogans and policies.
Education Minister Jason Clare also weighed in, claiming Price’s comments were evidence that “the wheels are coming off Peter Dutton’s campaign”, per Sydney Morning Herald.
Dutton deflected questions about Price’s use of Trump-like language while praising her contributions to the Coalition’s platform. He described her as someone who has “saved our country from the Voice” and emphasised her role in addressing inefficiency across government departments if elected.
Lead image: AAP
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