Noongar leaders and community members are preparing to protest the arrival of Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price in Bunbury this Friday, accusing the Northern Territory senator of disregarding cultural protocol and promoting harmful political narratives on Aboriginal issues.
Senator Price, the Coalition’s Indigenous Affairs spokesperson, will attend a closed-door event alongside Liberal candidate for Forrest Ben Small and WA Senator Michaelia Cash.
The gathering, which will focus on the defeat of the Voice to Parliament referendum and the Opposition’s economic agenda, has sparked backlash from local Aboriginal leaders who say they were neither informed nor consulted about her visit to Noongar Country.
Robert Eggington, a respected Noongar Elder and activist, is among those organising the protest.
“Protest against [Jacinta Price visiting] at Bunbury Town Hall... let her know she's not welcome to spew her vile onto Bibbulumun Boodja,” he posted to Facebook.
The protest follows a letter written by Wardandi custodian Renae Isaacs-Guthridge to Ben Small, condemning the lack of engagement with local Elders.
Isaacs-Guthridge, who also has ties to the Yamatji Nation, described Senator Price’s visit as “deeply disrespectful” and warned that it ignored fundamental cultural protocols.
"Senator Price's well-documented positions on matters of truth-telling, voice and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander justice are considered by many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to be harmful and dismissive of lived experiences," Ms Isaacs-Guthridge wrote.
Isaacs-Guthridge called on the Liberal candidate to clarify whether any Noongar leaders had been approached ahead of the event and whether it aligns with community interests.
The visit comes amid rising concern from Indigenous communities across the country about the senator's approach to engagement.
Last month, Senator Price cancelled a similar event in Kempsey, NSW.
Dunghutti woman Leetona Dungay said a group of Aboriginal people were told it was a private function and turned away from the West Kempsey Hotel.
Ms Dungay, whose son David died in custody after calling out 'I can't breathe' while being restrained by prison guards, told NITV it was a wasted opportunity for the Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians to hear directly from community members about important issues.
"I would have asked her why are you there, and how are you going to help us, and what are you going to do?" she said.
"It's not right [that we weren't allowed in] ... I think it's racism."
Despite these repeated concerns, Senator Price maintains that no permission is required for a federal politician to speak in any part of the country.
Security has been tightened for Friday’s event, with federal and state police, along with private security, expected to be in attendance. The location remains undisclosed, with details only provided to registered guests.
Protesters say the secrecy further alienates community members and undermines transparency.
