Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has unveiled a wider-than-expected frontbench reshuffle, with Jacinta Price the new Indigenous Australians spokeswoman.
Mr Dutton announced the appointment of Senator Price, who was first elected to the Senate for the Northern Territory last year, on Tuesday after the portfolio was vacated by Julian Leeser.
Mr Leeser resigned from his frontbench role to campaign for a constitutionally enshrined Indigenous voice, which his party opposes.
The opposition leader described Senator Price as a “fighter”.
“She’s a warrior for Indigenous Australians and she’s a very proud (Northern) Territorian,” Mr Dutton said in Adelaide.
“She’s always fought hard to improve the lives of Indigenous women and kids and we’ve seen that just in recent days.
“I know that she’ll do an outstanding job in leading the charge for better practical outcomes for Indigenous Australians, not through the prime minister’s Canberra voice bureaucracy.”
Senator Price, who has been a vocal campaigner against an Indigenous voice in the constitution, said she was “very humbled, very grateful that the leadership has entrusted me”.
Nationals leader David Littleproud hailed the elevation of Senator Price, who as an NT Country Liberal sits in his party room, as a victory for the Nationals.
Mr Littleproud said Senator Price would bring “lived experience” to the role.
“I’m proud of the fact that I had negotiations with Peter,” he said.
“While it’s above our quota (for the shadow ministry), the main thing is that this is the right decision for the coalition, this is the right decision for the nation.”
Former home affairs minister Karen Andrews will retire at the next federal election, rather than trigger a by-election.
Ms Andrews said she wanted to ensure the coalition had the “maximum time” possible to find a new replacement for her portfolio and her Queensland seat McPherson.
“I have decided not to recontest the seat of McPherson at the next election and as a result I have asked Peter Dutton not to include me in his new shadow ministry,” she said.
Ms Andrews, who was first elected in 2010, described having held ministries including home affairs, industry, science and technology as the “greatest honour of my life”.
“I am proud to have been the first female Queensland MP in a cabinet role and I am even prouder of the strong work the coalition did in government to safeguard Australia’s national security,” she said.
Mr Dutton described Michaelia Cash as a “dear friend” who will add attorney-general to her shadow portfolio.
James Paterson will join the shadow cabinet as the new opposition home affairs spokesman.
“There is no more sacred duty of government than to keep Australians safe and secure,” Senator Paterson said.
“Labor’s dismantling of the portfolio upon coming to government was a major mistake.
“In the dangerous and uncertain strategic environment we find ourselves in, we cannot afford confusion about which minister is responsible for our domestic national security settings.”
Kerrynne Liddle will take on the role of opposition spokeswoman for child protection and the prevention of family violence.
By Paul Osborne and Tess Ikonomou in Canberra
