Gillard is following an unwanted tradition.
In picking a very good candidate over party rank and file choice she. like Sussex Street, is claiming ownership of the party.
A long term problem that must be addressed Many,. hand picked *stars*
Not in any way linked to politics ,or even members until picked.
It should be noted local members are put aside and have no say.
Along with long time 15 years, Senators.
In the second or third year of talking about Labor reforming this asks questions, why have membership if they have no rights/voice?

Strangely, this reminds me of a cocky and arrogant Alan Carpenter when he booted out a disabled member of his successful government and replaced him with another choice for an upcoming election. I can still see the "team" striding out in some grassland attempting to be a go ahead team having jettisoned anyone who didn't fit their vision.

They lost to Barnett convincingly in that election.

Typical political leader showing contempt for the people -she forgets - put her there in the first place. Just like the American presidents who now and in the past have used Executive Orders to bypass the congress.

Politicians = lies and deception.

She will get what she deserves at the next election.

Why would anyone believe that someone who can run fast, & hit a ball, would make a good senator? They may of course, but probably won't

In this instance I have heard both ladies speak, & was not enthused by either.

Obviously Gillard has seen the result in the last Territory election, & aspires to copy the move to aboriginal candidates. This is not only a mistake, but wrong. Once a party starts picking for ethnicity they are starting to rot. It is only a matter of time, before the public will notice the stink of putrefaction.

Belly,
I feel sorry for you and other rusted on labor supporters. You must dispair at the continued stuff ups the current government engages in.

Why labor persists in picking show ponies for leaders and celebrities for candidates is beyond me. This latest proposed candidate is not even a party member and yet she is to take the place of an experienced parliamentry member, all on the basis she is aboriginal. If Labor wants aboriginals in parliament, why did they bypass Mundine before? He is a long term and well thought of party member who has served well and has the respect of the community.

I wonder if the Labor party in the NT will rebel or just go along with another imposed candidate? I well remember the seat of Cunningham, a very solid Labor seat, where head office imposed a candidate over the locally preferred person. The rank and file objected and supported and elected the Green candidate for the first and only Green in the Lower house. One would think the hierarchy would learn from that.

Dear Belly,

Political commentators in the media have stated
that the current Labor Party Senator in the
Northern Territory has not been winning the support
of the Indigenous voters. If the Labor Party wants
to win back the support of the Indigenous voters that
it previously had in the NT the Labor Party has to make
realistic choices to do so. That is why the current
decision by the PM has been made.

Another thing to consider was the possibility
that the current Senator would have easily
lost her seat at the next election anyway - thus
causing an upset to the Government.

This is an attempt to win back the Indigenous vote in the
NT.