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Nova Peris: Tearful Indigenous MP quits Australia Senate | Nova Peris: Tearful Indigenous MP quits Australia Senate |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The first Indigenous woman elected to Australia's parliament has defended her decision to quit before the upcoming federal election. | The first Indigenous woman elected to Australia's parliament has defended her decision to quit before the upcoming federal election. |
Former Olympic gold medallist Nova Peris announced on Tuesday that she would not re-contest her Senate seat at the election on 2 July. | Former Olympic gold medallist Nova Peris announced on Tuesday that she would not re-contest her Senate seat at the election on 2 July. |
At Thursday's emotional new conference, she said the move was for her family. | At Thursday's emotional new conference, she said the move was for her family. |
"Until you are an Indigenous person, do not criticise me for the decisions I've made," she said. | "Until you are an Indigenous person, do not criticise me for the decisions I've made," she said. |
Former prime minister Julia Gillard had parachuted Ms Peris to the top of Labor's Senate ticket in the Northern Territory before the 2013 federal election, replacing 15-year veteran Trish Crossin. | Former prime minister Julia Gillard had parachuted Ms Peris to the top of Labor's Senate ticket in the Northern Territory before the 2013 federal election, replacing 15-year veteran Trish Crossin. |
Ms Crossin this week criticised her replacement for quitting so close to the election. The coalition government also accused her of abandoning her constituents. | Ms Crossin this week criticised her replacement for quitting so close to the election. The coalition government also accused her of abandoning her constituents. |
'No-one should judge me' | 'No-one should judge me' |
But Ms Peris defended her decision at an event in Darwin, saying that she "didn't call the election". | But Ms Peris defended her decision at an event in Darwin, saying that she "didn't call the election". |
"This decision I have made has been on family and I have to look after my children," she said. | "This decision I have made has been on family and I have to look after my children," she said. |
She also rejected suggestions that she owed her constituents a better explanation of her reasons for quitting. | |
"I'm a 45-year-old woman and I'm sure you don't go around every single day time of your life justifying the things you have to do," she said. | "I'm a 45-year-old woman and I'm sure you don't go around every single day time of your life justifying the things you have to do," she said. |
"No-one should judge me... It's not easy to wake up every morning and bounce out of bed and pretend that life is fantastic because it isn't." | "No-one should judge me... It's not easy to wake up every morning and bounce out of bed and pretend that life is fantastic because it isn't." |
Opposition leader Bill Shorten accompanied Ms Peris at the event and praised her as a "remarkable Australian" and "great mum". | Opposition leader Bill Shorten accompanied Ms Peris at the event and praised her as a "remarkable Australian" and "great mum". |
Reports earlier in the week suggested Ms Peris was in line for a leading role with the Australian Football League. | Reports earlier in the week suggested Ms Peris was in line for a leading role with the Australian Football League. |
The senator's family came under intense media scrutiny early this year after her daughter made accusations of domestic violence against her football player boyfriend. The charges were dismissed. | The senator's family came under intense media scrutiny early this year after her daughter made accusations of domestic violence against her football player boyfriend. The charges were dismissed. |
Labor will announce a new candidate soon, with journalist and former Northern Territory minister Malarndirri McCarthy emerging as a frontrunner. | Labor will announce a new candidate soon, with journalist and former Northern Territory minister Malarndirri McCarthy emerging as a frontrunner. |
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