Northern Territory Labor Senator Nova Peris will not contest her seat at the July election.
“After careful deliberation with my family, I have chosen not to re-contest my Senate seat in the upcoming Federal election,” she said in a media release sent out on Tuesday morning.
“It is my intention that I will serve out my term and fully support and endorse my replacement.”
The Labor Party has not yet announced who will replace Senator Peris, the first Aboriginal woman to enter Federal Parliament.
She did hold the number one spot on Labor’s Senate ticket.
Senator Peris did not address reports that she will take a job with the AFL.
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Shortly after Senator Peris announced her decision, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten praised her as a “trailblazer”.
“She’s a distinguished Territorian, she’s a distinguished Australia,” Bill Shorten said in Perth.
Labor must now decide on who will fight for Senator Peris’ electorate of the Northern Territory in the July election.
The Northern Territory can only be represented by one Labor Senator. Country Liberal Party Senator Nigel Scullion, who is also Indigenous Affairs Minister, occupies the other NT Senate seat.
“The Labor Party in the Territory will no doubt have a range of candidates and the party will go through its process in the coming days,” Bill Shorten said.
"She departs with my absolute best wishes": Bill Shorten addresses a question over Nova Peris' announcement. Pic: ABC24 Source: ABC 24
