Yanyuwa Garrawa woman Malarndirri McCarthy has been sworn in as Labor's federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, continuing in the role she took over after Linda Burney stepped down last year.
Northern Territory Senator McCarthy posted on social media that is was an honour to be re-appointed as the Minister for Indigenous Australians in the Cabinet.
"As a Yanyuwa Garrawa woman from Borroloola, I feel a deep responsibility to deliver on building a stronger future for our next generation," she said.
"A heartfelt thank you to all those who have placed their trust in me."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has also appointed Lingiari MP Marion Scrymgour as special envoy for remote communities.
"Remote communities turned out to vote in support for Labor," Senator McCarthy posted on Instagram.
"They saw our commitment and vision - and the Prime Minister has seen it too, appointing my friend and colleague Marion Scrymgour MP as Special Envoy for Remote Communities.
"This second term we will continue our focus on economic empowerment, boosting employment, increasing food security and improving housing and critical infrastructure."
Price pulls back from deputy leadership bid
While the ministry was being sworn in at Government House in Canberra, the Liberal Party was holding its leadership contest in Parliament House.
Before the vote, Northern Territory Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, a Warlpiri Celtic woman, had said she would run for deputy.
However she did not contest the ballot after her preferred candidate for leader, Angus Taylor, lost in a close result to Sussan Ley, who became the first woman to lead the federal Liberal Party.
"I recognise that I am new to the party, and am grateful that our party is one that afforded me the opportunity to consider putting myself forward for the position of deputy leader in those circumstances," Senator Nampijinpa Price said in a statement after the vote.
"Ultimately, I want the best outcome for all Australians – that is why I entered politics, and why I continue to serve as a member of the Australian Parliament.
"So while the outcome today is not the one that I would have wanted, it in no way lessens my commitment to the Liberal Party and the broader Coalition, nor does the outcome lessen my resolve to rebuild and strengthen the Liberal Party.
"If the Coalition is to offer hope and a way forward for our nation, unity must prevail more within us now more than ever."
'She wants to be the Prime Minister'
Ms Ley said in a press conference on Tuesday that she will announce the Shadow Ministry in due course and that she had welcomed Senator Nampijinpa Price into the Liberal Party room with a hug.
Late last week Senator Nampijinpa Price defected from the National to the Liberal party, saying she believed she would be able to be 'more effective' as a member of the senior Coalition Party.
Federal Country Liberal Party politicians from the NT have the choice of sitting with either the Nationals or Liberals in Canberra.
On Tuesday morning re-elected Nationals leader David Littleproud told Channel Nine's Today show that he wished Senator Nampijinpa Price luck.
"The reality is Jacinta has an ambition greater than what the National Party can provide," he said.
"We can only ever be the Deputy Prime Minister.
"She wants to be the Prime Minister one day and I'm not going to constrain anyone's ambition."
On Monday, before the Liberal leadership vote, Senator Nampijinpa Price did not answer NITV's question about whether at the next election she would consider running in the House of Representatives.
Mr Albanese named Lyons MP Rebecca White, the former leader of the Opposition in Tasmania, in the outer ministry as Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health.
