Bess Price facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bess Price
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Price in 2015
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| Member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly for Stuart |
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| In office 25 August 2012 – 27 August 2016 |
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| Preceded by | Karl Hampton |
| Succeeded by | Scott McConnell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 22 October 1960 (age 64) Yuendumu, Northern Territory, Australia |
| Political party | Country Liberal Party |
| Spouse | David Price |
| Relations | Karl Hampton (nephew) |
| Children | Jacinta Nampijinpa Price (born 1981) Leonard (born 1973-1974, died 1984-1985) |
| Residence | Alice Springs |
| Alma mater | Curtin University |
Bess Nungarrayi Price AM (born 22 October 1960) is an Aboriginal Australian activist and politician. She was a member of the Country Liberal Party. From 2012 to 2016, she served in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly. She represented the area of Stuart. Bess Price was also a Minister for Community Services. Today, she lives in Alice Springs in Central Australia.
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Bess Price's Life and Career
Bess Price was born on October 22, 1960, in Yuendumu. Her first language is Warlpiri. She also speaks Luritja, Western Arrernte, and Anmatyerre. When she was young, Bess lived in traditional Aboriginal homes called humpies. She became a mother at 13 years old. Later, she began studying to become a teacher.
She earned a degree in Aboriginal Community Management and Development. This was from Curtin University. Bess Price has worked in many fields. These include education, public administration, and media. She has also worked in community development. She is an interpreter, translator, and language teacher. With her husband, Dave Price, she runs Jajirdi Consultants. They help people understand different cultures and the Warlpiri language.
| Years | Term | Electoral division | Party | |
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| 2012–2016 | 12th | Stuart | Country Liberal Party | |
Becoming a Politician
The Northern Territory Labor government chose Bess Price to lead its Indigenous Affairs Advisory Council. This council gave advice to the government. It helped with programs like Closing the Gap. In 2011, Bess Price decided to leave the council. She wanted to run for election with the Country Liberal Party. She ran in the 2012 Northern Territory general election. She won the seat of Stuart. She was elected with a big increase in votes.
In 2012, she was nominated for the US International Women of Courage Award. This award honors women who show great courage.
On September 9, 2013, she became a Minister. She was in charge of Community Services, Parks and Wildlife, Statehood, and Women's Policy. Later, she also became Minister for Local Government and Housing. She left office after the election on August 27, 2016.
Her paintings were shown in Sydney in 2017. Since 2022, she has been an Assistant Principal. She works at Yipirinya Independent Aboriginal School in Alice Springs.
Bess Price's daughter, Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, is also a politician. Jacinta became a Senator for the Northern Territory in 2022. She is now the Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs.
Bess Price's Views and Work
Bess Price has often spoken about violence in Indigenous communities. She supported the Northern Territory Intervention. This was a government plan to help these communities. In 2009, she gave a speech about Indigenous violence. She received the Bennelong Medal for her work. She also spoke at the Centre for Independent Studies. She appeared on the ABC TV show Q&A. On the show, she said she supported the Intervention.
In 2012, Bess Price said on SBS TV's Insight Program that Aboriginal Australians with mixed heritage should recognize all their backgrounds. She believed this would help everyone be more honest and understanding.
She also spoke out against Amnesty International. This group had disagreed with the Intervention. In 2013, she spoke at a book launch. The book was about helping Aboriginal people from violence. In 2014, she again called for an end to violence. This was after her sister Rosalie passed away.
Speaking Up for Indigenous Languages
Bess Price believes that Indigenous languages should be used in the Northern Territory Parliament. Once, she spoke in her native language, Warlpiri. The Speaker, Kezia Purick, asked her to stop. The Speaker said that debates in Parliament should be in English. Bess Price disagreed. She said that the rules did not forbid it. She suggested that interpreters should be available in Parliament.
