Jacinta Price is often in headlines that surround Aboriginal issues and topics. Many non-Indigenous Australians love to hear her opinions. However, with a little more background knowledge, you will start to understand why many Indigenous people cringe when her name is mentioned.
Jacinta Price’s stance on Australia Day won her many non-Indigenous fans since her first Facebook rant on the issue in January 2017. It looks like a road is now being paved for her to be pushed into Federal politics. But is it a wise move for people who admire her stance to throw their full support behind someone who’s biggest achievement was a Facebook post?
Here are 10 things you need to know about Jacinta Price.
- You need to know that other political leaders think she is fit to be a leader simply because of her opinions. Shouldn’t potential leaders be judged on their track record and their achievements? Jacinta Price was one of nine town Councillors in Alice Springs. What are her achievements in a town that is considered the most racist in Australia and appears only to be getting worse?
- You need to know that Jacinta’s main argument about Australia Day is that there are more important issues that need to be addressed first. While many Indigenous people spent one day protesting on January 26th, Jacinta Price spent two months campaigning against changes to Australia Day. How can she not see how hypocritical that is?
- You need to know that Jacinta Price could potentially influence other Indigenous people to follow her lead. Look how easy it was for Jacinta. Make a few Facebook statuses about Australia Day, next minute you’re on national TV, a few months later you’re positioned to be the leader of an electorate that covers the entire Northern Territory.
- You need to know that Jacinta Price did not seem concerned about the Royal Commission into juvenile detention. In November 2017, Price posted on her Facebook page to criticise Four Corners for their story which ultimately convinced Prime Minister Turnbull to call for a Royal Commission. (Price has since deleted that post after we highlighted it in this article).
- You need to know how defensive she gets when she is called out by her own people. Instead of listening and responding to those comments, Jacinta Price retaliates by criticising or goes in search of people who will defend her. This is not constructive and not how a future leader should behave.
- You need to know her track record of slandering other prominent Indigenous people. From former Senator Nova Peris to Tasmanian Aboriginal leader Michael Mansell and highly respected Elder Rosalie Kunoth Monks, not to mention her ongoing bitter fued with members of the Voller family in Alice Springs.
- You need to know that Jacinta Price tries to speak on behalf of Aboriginal people. Even though she now claims that she doesn’t, she continues to make blanket statements on behalf of many Aboriginal people. For example: “Aboriginal people in remote communities aren’t concerned about Australia Day”. This is a blanket statement that was proved wrong in a video posted by Children’s Ground who are working in town camps outside of Alice Springs.
- You need to know that no one seems concerned about the corruption clouds that hung around her mothers time in politics. Aren’t party members concerned that history will repeat? Or are they all corrupt and on the lookout for a new Aboriginal puppet to help erode any Indigenous rights that still exist.
- You need to know that Jacinta Price called on her Facebook supporters to try and report a petition that read, “As an Aboriginal person, Jacinta Price does not speak for me“. This is really concerning for someone who could potentially become a leader. These actions resemble those of a dictator.
- You need to know that Jacinta Price decided to defend Scottish explorer John McDouall Stuart after his controversial statue was vandalised recently. Price claimed Stuart never killed Aboriginal people even though historical records show that he was directly involved with massacres.
- An extra point to note: through observations and public comments from community members in Alice Springs, Jacinta’s non-Indigenous father should be recognised as the major influence behind her views. We note that her father is not listed on her wikipedia page.
Well those are just 10 things you need to know about Jacinta Price. Would you like to add to this list? We haven’t even mentioned her illogical stance on the Cashless welfare card or her views about mining. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Update: Jacinta’s response to this article… “Welcome to Country is Fake News”. Nice response to an opinion piece Jacinta… I wonder which right wing political leader you got that line from?
Welcome to Country is an independent Indigenous news media website. We publish news and articles which represent stories and views that are often ignored by Australia’s mainstream media.
