Jacinta Price isn't afraid of a fight.
From her teenage years in the Red Centre to her more recent tangles with online trolls and cancel culture, she has always been prepared for detractors.
"Maybe growing up on the streets of Alice Springs and, at times, having to defend myself and my friends, physically, and learning some martial arts … maybe all that has helped," Ms Price said.
"It's allowed me to handle those things."
But as the anti-domestic violence campaigner and well-known conservative commentator prepares to make the career leap of her life, a likely election to the Australian Parliament, she's aware the fight is about to get as real as it ever will.
"A shake-up is what's needed, and I feel like I'm the person for the job," Ms Price said.
The Warlpiri-Celtic woman has scored Country Liberal Party preselection to run for the NT's two Senate seats, which, historically, go one each way to the CLP and Labor each federal election.
If Ms Price follows history's pattern and is elected on May 21, she plans to take her platform against family violence in the remote Northern Territory to the halls of power.
In the Northern Territory, where rates of family violence continue to soar well above the national average, she wants to help forge change, but also knows that an uphill battle towards any significant improvements awaits her.
If successful, she's tipped to join incumbent Labor senator Malarndirri McCarthy, who is vying for re-election in Labor's other, traditionally safe, Senate position.
The pair's entry would mark the first time the jurisdiction has been represented in the Senate by two Indigenous women.
Family violence a key issue for Price, McCarthy
Senator McCarthy, a former Northern Territory government children and families minister, has been in her upper house role since 2016.
And, while she and Ms Price remain ideologically opposed on many issues, both stand on common ground when it comes to stamping out the scourge of family violence.
"What I'm hearing from people now is about their children, their hopes for the future, their fears in terms of women and family violence," Senator McCarthy said.
"Family violence, we've seen it escalate dramatically throughout COVID.
"As I've travelled in these recent weeks to communities, and also spoken to domestic violence campaigners and organisations, we now have to move into the next phase of, what are we going to do to provide the support that's required if we are fortunate enough to get into government?"
Senator McCarthy spoke of building a "safe place" on Elcho Island, men's programs to be set-up on the Tiwi Islands, more shelters around the territory, more trained workers to assist on the frontline.
"Stepping into the Senate will be an absolute privilege for anyone who does so," she said.
McMahon standing with Liberal Democrats
Although the Northern Territory's Senate seats for Labor and the CLP are historically safe bets, the major parties have been thrown a curve ball in 2022, with Sam McMahon entering the race.
Senator McMahon has served in the Senate for the past term, first for the CLP, then as an independent.
She resigned from the CLP early this year, months after losing a preselection battle with Ms Price, for the seat.
This time, Senator McMahon is standing for a minor party, the Liberal Democrats — a play that analysts believe could potentially split the conservative vote.
"I think territorians realise, particularly in their senator, they need someone who's across a wide range of issues and industry, and I've got a proven track record," she said in announcing her candidacy.
Senator McMahon also poses a risk to her former party, the CLP, by running, because it needs a politician in federal parliament or runs the risk of deregistration.
Whether she'll be able to poll above Ms Price remains unlikely, however, as history dictates that the minor parties only manage to collect a smattering of votes in the hunt for the Northern Territory's Senate seats.
However, in 2022, the race is on, and the key candidates have made it clear: They're all up for the fight.
