Former NT Labor minister Kon Vatskalis has joined the chorus of voices criticising Julia Gillard, following the PM’s ‘parachuting’ of Olympic gold medallist Nova Peris into Labor’s NT Senate ticket.
The Prime Minister endorsed Peris this week – bypassing normal pre-selection procedures – much to the wrath of those who feel the action undermines Labor’s pre-selection processes in the Territory and beyond.
Darwin-born Ms Peris was the first Indigenous Australian to win an Olympic gold medal in 1996 as a hockey player and also represented Australia in athletics. She is set to campaign for the NT federal seat currently held by Senator Trish Crossin.
Mr Vatskalis, MP for Casuarina in Darwin told Neos Kosmos he was “extremely unhappy” about the decision.
“It should be left to the members of the NT Labor to decide who is the best person to represent them,” said the former minister.
“Nova may be a good hockey player but she is politically inexperienced, she doesn’t live in the NT, she is not a member of the party, and worse – while she had discussions about her nomination she did nothing to join the party in that time.”
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister described Ms Peris as a “household name” and spoke of her grit and determination on and off the sporting field.
“I believe Nova will make a great contribution in the federal parliament,” said Ms Gillard.
At the announcement in Canberra, Ms Peris – in an emotional speech – thanked the PM for an “amazing opportunity”.
“I stand here before you all today not only as an Australian but as a proud Aboriginal woman . . . I certainly understand the significance of this opportunity and I am very honoured and humbled.”
The Olympian outlined her passions for health, education, young people and essential services, and said the way the NT intervention was implemented “was wrong”.
Within hours of her endorsement, a smear campaign was underway with the politically inexperienced Peris defending rumours of her improper use of NT Government assets during her time as an employee of the NT’s Department of Education. Allegations which she strenuously denies.
Mr Vatskalis said that many Labor members were disappointed by Peris’ endorsement and would not be “afraid to show their feelings.” The MP added that he viewed the action as a fundamental undermining of democratic principles.
“I joined the ALP 30 years ago – months after I arrived in Australia – for its principles and democratic processes,” he said.
“Irrespective, if you like Trish Crossin or not, this is not a way to treat a seating member who gave 15 years of their life to the party.”
Ms Crossin told reporters this week that the NT branch of the Labor Party had already started its pre-selection process for the 2013 federal election.
“This announcement by the Prime Minister today totally undermines that process and undermines the right of members in the NT to pre-select whom they will want,” she said.
Crossin’s axing follows Labor’s NT election loss in 2012, when it suffered heavy defeats in rural areas as Aboriginal voters defected to the Country Liberal Party.
Some commentators say the matter has to be seen in the context of the Labor leadership debate. Senator Crossin voted for Kevin Rudd in last year’s leadership ballot.
Mr Vatskalis described the Peris endorsement as “another wrong decision by Julia” and questioned, why, if the Labor leader wanted an Indigenous candidate for the Senate she didn’t communicate her wish to the party in the NT?
Asked if he would wish to see a new leadership challenge re-emerge before the next federal election, and if he would prefer to see the return of Kevin Rudd, Mr Vatskalis didn’t mince his words.
“Both are bad as each other,” he said. “The party needs a complete overhaul.”