The political party of Northern Territory senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has not ruled out supporting an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, despite her declaration of opposition to the idea alongside the federal National Party.
The Nationals confirmed earlier this week that they will campaign against the proposal, with the Country Liberal Party (CLP) senator standing alongside Nationals leader David Littleproud during his announcement on Monday.
CLP senators traditionally sit in the Nationals party room in Canberra, but belong to a separate party.
The Nationals party said it believed an Indigenous voice would not close the gap or benefit regional and remote communities.
"What we need now is practical measures and we have to stop dividing our nation along the lines of race," Senator Price said.
When asked about Senator Price's comments at a press conference this week, NT opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro said the NT's Country Liberal Party (CLP) members were "still looking very closely" at a potential enshrined Indigenous voice.
"What we know is the federal National party has come out against the Voice to Parliament," she said.
"What we know is there is still very scant detail out there.
"The CLP is still looking very closely at what that detail is and whether or not it's going to make a different to the lives of Territorians."
The ABC asked the CLP if it has finalised a position on the Voice and if Senator Price had advised the party before her announcement.
Party president Lawson Broad responded with a statement that did not answer the ABC's questions but repeated concerns about "a lack of any meaningful detail".
"The CLP is interested in practical outcomes for Aboriginal Territorians in remote communities and in our urban centres and any purposeful measures that will support those outcomes," he said in a statement.
The complaint about a lack of detail is hotly disputed by Labor politicians and staffers, as well as former Coalition minister Ken Wyatt.
The West Australian Nationals party has also distanced itself from its federal counterparts over the issue, with leader Mia Davies saying her team would support the Voice.
Nationals frontbencher Andrew Gee has also broken ranks, saying his support for the Voice was "unwavering".
Nationals opposition 'premature', Labor says
The NT's other senator, Labor's Malarndirri McCarthy, said she was disappointed by Senator Price's position.
She also labelled the decision "premature".
"What I would say, and I'd certainly say this to Senator Price when I see her, is wait until the engagement group and working group have the opportunity to brief you," Senator McCarthy said.
"They're the First Nations people working on this."
She said Senator Price had not given "one particular reason" for her opposition but had given "quite a few different views".
NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles today said Senator Price's decision to campaign against the Voice was "incredibly disappointing" and "incredibly short-sighted".
Nationals accused of 'capitulating' to Senator Price
Earlier this week prominent Indigenous advocate Noel Pearson slammed the Nationals' announcement, accusing the party of changing their position.
"I am very surprised, because I have spoken to almost every National senator and MP over recent years, and of all the political parties the Nationals were the most supportive of the Voice," he said on Tuesday.
Mr Pearson accused the party of "capitulating" to Senator Price.
"It's obviously Jacinta Price's entry into the parliament that has turned everything around, but it is also this leader, this supposed leader Littleproud, little pride."
In a statement released in response to Mr Pearson's comments, Senator Price said she "doesn't care for the absolute noise of bullies".
"I am no stranger to attacks from angry men who claim to speak on behalf of Aboriginal Australia," she said.
"It's not hard to see why as an Aboriginal woman I have reservations about enshrining an idea that lacks detail into our parliament that has the potential to empower bullies, like those I have encountered over the years."
Senator Price last week also swung against the CLP's long-held policy of restoring the NT's right to legislate around voluntary assisted dying.
