Sky News commentator Andrew Bolt has explained why he thinks Jacinta Nampijinpa Price would not have been a wise choice to be the Liberal Party’s next Deputy Leader.
Senator Price was expected to become the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party if Angus Taylor had been elected leader, following Peter Dutton’s devastating election defeat.
But on Tuesday morning, Sussan Ley was confirmed as the new Liberal Party leader, ruling out Price’s chances as deputy leader.
Bolt hinted that the Liberal Party may have avoided a bullet by not supporting the Taylor-Price ticket.
‘I love Jacinta. I’ve probably defended her for more years than anyone and I’ve promoted her for years,’ Bolt said.
‘She is fearless, she is frank, and she was absolutely critical in defeating Albanese’s racist plan for The Voice.
‘She’s being hailed by the Liberals as the new saviour. I can’t help but think this is a mistake.’
While being an admirer of Ms Price, Bolt questioned her experience in politics and if she was the right fit for leadership.
Sky News commentator Andrew Bolt didn’t think Jacinta Price was qualified to be the Liberal party’s next deputy leader
Jacinta Nampijinpa Price was hoping to become the deputy leader of the Liberals
‘Her instincts are fantastic, she’s got a great future, but I think she’s actually just been in parliament for just three years. What has she done in this time?’ he said.
‘Peter Dutton promoted her to be in charge of government efficiency and she came up with no efficiencies of substance.’
Bolt went further to suggest she even hurt Mr Dutton’s Prime Minister aspirations.
‘She was missing for most of the election campaign and when she did speak, her loose language just got the Liberals into deeper strife,’ he said
‘Now how would Nampijinpa Price go talking economic policies, workplace reform and all those other things a Deputy Leader must address.
‘Colleagues would come to her, as Deputy Leader, with problems they need fixing in the party. How would she be more capable in that role than, say, James Paterson?’
After her failed bid for the deputy Liberal leadership role, Ms Price said she would focus on energy policy.
The Senator said the issue was the first battleground for the Liberals and Nationals who are sticking by nuclear, while the Liberal Party was open to change.
