A war of words has broken out between Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and former Liberal senator Hollie Hughes after Hughes quit the party in protest earlier this week.
Ms Hughes, who lost her New South Wales Senate seat at the last federal election, resigned from the Liberal Party over what she described as the undermining and poor treatment of leader Sussan Ley.
After claiming some members of the party are "completely inept," "lazy" and "not across the details", she accused the conservative faction of using women to undermine Ms Ley — specifically naming Senator Price and Victorian Senator Sarah Henderson.
"[They] are being used, quite frankly, by the boys who want to challenge but don't have the gumption to go out and say anything themselves," Ms Hughes told 2GB.
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Referring to images of conservatives entering Parliament last week ahead of a net-zero policy meeting, she added: "I think we all know who's undermining her, and I think all you've got to do is look at that big right-wing block that wandered down the corridor together as they push the women up the front."
Responding on the same station, Senator Price — who was removed from the Opposition frontbench in September for refusing to back Ms Ley's leadership — said it was "pretty disappointing to hear that sort of commentary from a woman".
"I suppose it's always been the argument by raging lefties, that I can't think for myself, that I have to be used by others," she said.
"It's just a ridiculous notion.
"She's clearly bitter, and that's her issue to deal with herself."
Senator Price added: "I think Holly, if she could take a moment, if she walked a mile in my shoes or in some of the shoes of some of the women that I've championed...from the remotest parts of this country, I think she should change her attitude."
Ms Ley declined to weigh in on the dispute but told Nine's Today program on Wednesday: "Hollie is a dear friend. Her statement clearly speaks to the warmth of our friendship."
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Senator Price, who has previously vowed not to be silenced on issues supported by "millions" — including migration — also told 2GB she backed the Opposition's shift to lower migration levels and abandon the net-zero emissions target, saying it's "fairly obvious from the Australian people that we need to do something".
"I'm glad that we're finally doing something in terms of energy policy in our country, because energy underpins the economy," she said.
"When we've got a prime minister and a government that have been prioritising emissions reduction and the green energy grifters and UN globalists ahead of the Australian people, I'm glad we positioned ourselves to prioritise affordable energy, to put Australians first."
On migration, she said: "It's not about race. It's about ensuring that we're bringing human beings of all different backgrounds.
"What matters is that they have the skills that we need to fill the gaps in our country. And we're not bringing them in at breakneck speed, but we're ensuring that our infrastructure can withstand the number of people coming in."
The Opposition's emerging migration policy is expected to focus on cutting visa categories beyond international students. Former leader Peter Dutton previously pledged to reduce migration by 100,000 people a year more than Labor.
Asked on Monday how she would make the case for lowering immigration without isolating or offending communities, Ms Ley told Nine's Today the Liberals would do so "by always reminding our wonderful migrant communities of the value that they add to this country".
Senator Price faced strong criticism in September after she falsely claimed the government was bringing in migrants "from particular countries over others" to shore up votes, citing the Indian community. She later said the comments — which drew internal backlash — were directed at Labor, not Indian Australians.
The same month, she told supporters: "Labor and the Greens treat culture as disposable" and argued mass migration makes life "tougher for everyone".
"Not just Australians, but those migrants who genuinely want to become part of the Australian family. Migration is not just about numbers but about who we are," she said.
