Bess Price

Biography

Born in Yuendumu, her first language is Warlpiri. She also knows Luritja, Western Arrernte and Anmatyerre. Price lived in humpies (traditional Aboriginal dwellings) until she was nine and became a mother at thirteen years of age. A victim of domestic violence, she left the father of her child when she was 19 and began studying to be a teacher.

She attained a Bachelor of Applied Science in Aboriginal Community Management and Development from Curtin University and has worked in education and training, public administration, the media, community development, interpreting, translating and language teaching and has experience in small business management. With her husband Dave Price, she is a partner with Jajirdi Consultants working in cross cultural awareness training, community liaison and Warlpiri language services.

The Northern Territory Labor Government appointed Price as Chairperson of its Indigenous Affairs Advisory Council (IAAC). The Council was set up to provide advice and make recommendations regarding the implementation and further development of the Closing the Gap and Working Future agendas and assist the Northern Territory Government to engage with Indigenous people. In November 2011, Price announced her retirement from the Indigenous Advisory Council and intention to stand for the Country Liberal Party in the Northern Territory election of 25 August 2012 for the Central Australian seat of Stuart against her nephew, Labor MP Karl Hampton. She was elected with a swing of 18%.

She was nominated in 2012 for the US International Women of Courage Award.

On 9 September 2013, she was named Minister for Community Services, Parks and Wildlife, Statehood and Women's Policy in the Northern Territory government. On 12 Dec 2014, she was appointed additionally Minister for Local Government, and on 10 Feb 2015 also Minister for Housing. She lost office at the Northern Territory election of 27 August 2016.

Political advocacy

Price has strongly criticised the high levels of violence in Central Australian indigenous communities and supported the Northern Territory Intervention. In December 2009 she delivered the Bennelong Society's inaugural Peter Howson lecture, also on the topic of indigenous violence, and received the Bennelong Medal. She spoke at the Centre for Independent Studies, Sydney, on 23 March 2011 and appeared on ABC television show Q&A on 11 April 2011. On Q&A, Price said that she supported the Intervention.

Price's public show of support for the Intervention policy instigated by the Howard Government drew criticism from some left-leaning Aboriginal advocates. Legal academic Larissa Behrendt posted an offensive tweet regarding Price in reaction to the Q&A program, leading Price to appear on the front page of The Australian on 14 April 2011. In 2012, Price told SBS TV's Insight Program, that mixed heritage Aboriginal-Australians should acknowledge their other heritage "And just not go one way [...] That has to happen here in Australia so we can all be honest and equal with each other and understanding because it creates the division."

In May 2012 and again in August 2012 she criticised Amnesty International for its opposition to the Intervention. Price accused the organisation of ignoring the suffering of women in Central Australia:

She spoke in Sydney on 29 January 2013, at the launch of Stephanie Jarrett's book, Liberating Aboriginal People from Violence. She again called for an end to violence after the stabbing death of her sister Rosalie in April 2014.