Liberal hopes to become first Aborigine in House of Representatives (The Australian)

23 Jul Liberal hopes to become first Aborigine in House of Representatives (The Australian)

So when Tony Abbott launches Dr Wyatt’s campaign for the marginal Perth seat of Hasluck today, the 57-year-old again finds himself on the verge of another great adventure.

He may well become the first Aborigine to be elected to the House of Representatives.

He’s in with a good shot. In 2007, Labor’s Sharryn Jackson won Hasluck back off Liberal Stuart Henry after losing it in 2004, but only with the help of preferences.

She again faces a formidable opponent: a former director of Aboriginal health in WA and NSW, a former pro chancellor of Edith Cowan University, an Order of Australia winner for his work in indigenous health and education, and a key stakeholder in Closing the Gap strategies aimed at reducing Aboriginal disadvantage nationwide. …Go to article.