Jacinta Nampijinpa Price quits Nationals to join Liberal Party as leadership race continuesBy political reporter Samantha DickTopic:Political Parties and Movements28m ago28 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 6:04amJacinta Nampijinpa Price will join the Liberal Party as debate continues over the party's next leader. (ABC News)In short: Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has announced she will quit the National Party to join the Liberal Party.Her decision comes as the Liberal Party deliberates its next leader after the ousting of Peter Dutton at the federal election. What's next?Senator Price says she believes she will be "more effective" as a member of the Liberal Party as it rebuilds from an election loss. abc.net.au/news/jacinta-nampijinpa-price-joins-liberal-party-after-election/105269518Link copiedShareShare articleJacinta Nampijinpa Price has announced she will quit the National Party to join the Liberal Party, stoking speculation she is also gunning for the deputy role.The stunning move has raised concerns among the Liberal Party's moderate camp, who note she was branded by Labor during the campaign as a "MAGA candidate".The re-elected Northern Territory senator said she would be "more effective" in the Coalition's majority partner "especially as the party faces a significant rebuild after Saturday".The ABC understands speculation of a joint ticket between Senator Price and leadership contender Angus Taylor is premature, and that there is no deal."This is a decision for Jacinta and the party room," a source close to Mr Taylor said."But as you would expect, Angus is outlining his vision to colleagues and welcomes support from anyone who shares that vision for the future of the party."Senator Price is a member of the Country Liberal Party and can sit with whichever party room she chooses.Federal politics live updates: Get the latest on the post-election election landscapeLive results: Find out what's happening in your seat as counting continuesHer decision comes as the Liberal Party deliberates its next leader after Peter Dutton lost his seat of Dickson.The Liberal leadership race has narrowed to two likely contenders: Angus Taylor and Sussan Ley.Neither Angus Taylor or Sussan Ley has yet publicly nominated for the leadership of the Liberal Party. (AAP: Jason O'Brien)The Nationals do not have a say in the next leader of the Liberal Party.By defecting to the Liberals, Senator Price will now have the opportunity to vote for her preferred candidate.In a statement, Senator Price said: "I am eager to fight for the best interests of all Australians as part of the Coalition."I believe I will be more effective in this regard if I am a member of the Liberal Party, especially as the party faces a significant rebuild after Saturday," she said."A rebuild I feel obliged to play a robust part in."Senator Price said she wanted to bring back core Liberal Party values and "most of all, love for our nation, Australia"."Let this be the moment we stop whispering our values and start declaring them again, not as fringe ideas, but as the foundation on which this country was built," she said."Let this serve as a reminder that our duty is not to win favour with the few, but to stand united with the many — those who Menzies recognised, those who Howard defended, and those we must fight for now."Election fallout and analysis:How Peter Dutton's campaign flew off a cliffWhat happened to the Greens vote in Victoria?ANALYSIS: The Coalition is split on nuclear after election lossWant even more? Here's where you can find all our 2025 federal election coverageCatch the latest interviews and in-depth coverage on ABC iview and ABC ListenShe said her decision was "not in any way a reflection on the National Party"."I am deeply appreciative of the opportunities the National Party under David Littleproud's leadership has given me, most notably the responsibility of leading the No campaign in the Voice referendum," Senator Price said."I do however feel the Liberal Party is my natural home and somewhere I can contribute meaningfully."Posted 28m ago28 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 6:04am, updated Just nowThu 8 May 2025 at 6:32amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesGreens leader Adam Bandt concedes seat, ending 15 years in parliamentTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows Adam Bandt press gallery doorstopMore women in Labor than ever but top jobs still going to menBAnalysis by Brett WorthingtonPhoto shows Anika Wells Amanda Rishworth Katie Gallagher Anne AlyAttorney-General Mark Dreyfus dumped from frontbench in factional carve-upLIVEPhoto shows Mark Dreyfus standing at the dispatch box in the federal parliament.Two men found guilty of murdering Indigenous schoolboy Cassius TurveyTopic:HomicidePhoto shows Cassius Turvey Forever 15Erin Patterson visibly upset as daughter gives evidence at murder trialLIVEPhoto shows A digital drawing of Erin Patterson wearing a pink shirtPopular nowAttorney-General Mark Dreyfus dumped from frontbench in factional carve-upLIVEPhoto shows Mark Dreyfus standing at the dispatch box in the federal parliament.Greens leader Adam Bandt concedes seat, ending 15 years in parliamentTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows Adam Bandt press gallery doorstopErin Patterson visibly upset as daughter gives evidence at murder trialLIVEPhoto shows A digital drawing of Erin Patterson wearing a pink shirtRelated topicsAustraliaAustralian Federal ElectionsElectionsPolitical LeadershipPolitical Parties and MovementsTop StoriesGreens leader Adam Bandt concedes seat, ending 15 years in parliamentTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows Adam Bandt press gallery doorstopMore women in Labor than ever but top jobs still going to menBAnalysis by Brett WorthingtonAttorney-General Mark Dreyfus dumped from frontbench in factional carve-upTopic:Government and PoliticsTwo men found guilty of murdering Indigenous schoolboy Cassius TurveyTopic:HomicideErin Patterson visibly upset as daughter gives evidence at murder trialTopic:Law, Crime and JusticeJust InGovernment shouldn't tell parents how to discipline kids, Crisafulli saysTopic:Parenting8m ago8 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 6:24amJail term doubled for 'muppets' involved in 100kg cocaine import attemptTopic:Cocaine19m ago19 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 6:12amMore women in Labor than ever but top jobs still going to menBAnalysis by Brett Worthington21m ago21 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 6:11amSoviet spacecraft will crash back to Earth within 48 hours, data suggestsTopic:Explainer22m ago22 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 6:10amMore Just InBack to top