Jacinta Price, a prominent figure within the Coalition, recently found herself at the center of controversy after seemingly echoing former US President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan during a campaign event in Perth. While speaking alongside Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Michaelia Cash at a rally held this morning at the Mount Pleasant Bowling Club, Price stated, “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.”
However, shortly after these remarks generated considerable attention, Price asserted she did not recall making the statement. “If I said that, I don’t even realize I said that but no, I’m an Australian and I want to ensure that we get Australia back on track,” she explained during a joint press conference.
The situation intensified when questioned about whether her comment was a reference to Trump, and also regarding the proposed “Department of Government Efficiency,” which some perceived as mimicking elements from Musk and Trump’s ideas. Price vehemently denied any connection.
“Let me just clarify, the Department of Government Efficiency, it’s not a department. It’s got nothing to do with the department. In fact, it will sit in the prime minister and cabinet. And just to clarify, it is not an ode to Donald Trump,” she stated firmly. “Let’s be very, very clear. The media, you’re all obsessed with Donald Trump. We’re not obsessed with Donald Trump.”
Opposition Leader Dutton spent a significant portion of the press conference skillfully sidestepping inquiries about whether the Coalition was adopting tactics reminiscent of Trump’s political style. Instead, he steered the conversation towards the pressing issues facing families in Western Australia.
“They’re making decisions at the moment about whether they insure their house or not, right? So let’s just deal with the reality for people,” Dutton remarked. “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.”
Pressed further on Price’s earlier comment, Dutton responded: “I want to get rid of a bad government. That’s what I want to do.” He continued, “I’m incredibly proud of what Jacinta has done in saving our country from The Voice [to Parliament] because that would have destroyed the social fabric of our country and at this election, we have the opportunity to get rid of a bad government. If we do that, we can get our country back on track.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, accompanied by Western Australian Premier Roger Cook, also actively campaigned in the state today, promising an investment of $60 million to expand ferry services within Perth.
Both major party leaders dedicated the day to energizing their supporters ahead of the official campaign launches scheduled for tomorrow. Voters will cast their ballots in the federal election on May 3rd.
