Senator Jacinta Price has defected from the Nationals to sit with the Liberals as the party gets ready to vote on its new leader.

Price is a senator for the Liberal Party’s Northern Territory branch and the Coalition’s shadow Indigenous Australians minister.

Previously aligned with the Nationals, she has now declared her intention to join the Liberals in Canberra before the party convenes on Tuesday.

“I am eager to fight for the best interests of all Australians as part of the Coalition,” she said in a statement to Nine newspapers.

“In my view, being a part of the Liberal Party will enhance my effectiveness, particularly as we undertake a substantial reconstruction following Saturday’s events. I feel a strong obligation to contribute actively to this effort.”

“My aim is to restore our fundamental principles such as liberty, individual freedom and responsibility, the rule of law, free market and economic growth, limited government interference, equal opportunity, and above all, a deep love for our country, Australia.”

The Coalition, comprised of Liberal and Nationals members, sit next to each other in parliament and typically vote along the same lines.

However, they each have their own party leaders and party room meetings. 

The top contenders for the role of opposition leader are deputy leader Sussan Ley, shadow treasurer Angus Taylor and shadow immigration minister Dan Tehan.