I go along with that Lexi. A sure seat set to be lost. The aborigional's need a voice in the NT. They will feel more comfortable talking to their own kind, and a person that has a foot in each camp.

Dear Belly,

In a representative democracy the citizens of an electorate decide who is going to represent them. Gillard in endorsing a candidate for them shows she has contempt for representative democracy.

Athletic ability does not correlate with wisdom, reasoned judgment or knowledge. Gillard did not start the trend to put 'celebrities' in office. Peter Garrett of 'Midnight Oil' is a example of a misplaced rock star. I favour rock stars in government only if they are well-known and competent geologists.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has told Fairfax Radio he supports increasing the number of Indigenous representatives in Federal Parliamen
"It's terrific that Labor might finally be getting its first Aboriginal representative in the Federal Parliament, so I'm all in favour of that," he said.

Lexi some truths are hidden in this matter.
Gillard has seen an opportunity, and taken it.
It is not possible for me to say any thing other than good about her candidate, a loverly woman.
But the party is again not served by*star* appointments.
A system is in place, part of the rules of the ALP.
Not the first time that system has been ignored.
Both party,s, my target however is mine, get star candidates, not even members of the party.
Sussex Street has dirt on its hands, it picked many, not totally sure but think the current ex HSU man, now an independent came that way.
I personalty watched Mark Latham ignore local branches and get Garret to join the party, taking a seat reserved for an active member.
It it was your task to pick a member of your party to stand in your seat what would it say if you had to look out side the party?
In the NT Aboriginal voters,feeling Labor ignored them, threw them out of office this is an opportunity to buy support, nothing else

579 why wouldn't Tony Abbott encourage the fool Gillard in her making yet another blunder. It is no different to you lot trying to talk the Libs into the blunder of making that fool Turnbull leader again.

579 you, more than any one should be appalled by this.
So what if it is a move to get the vote of Aboriginals?
What however if this great Australian acts as Mundine some times has?
If we need stars, if we can not produce a following in that community, then be brave, Pick Noel Pearson.
Name him Minister for Aboriginal affairs, soon to be shadow minister.
A commitment and understanding of party policy's should come first.
Remember a 15 years veteran is being told to go for Gillards pick.
The ALP looks this morning like it can not produce a candidate