CONTROVERSIAL Liberal senator Cory Bernardi has labelled the federal government's drafting of Aboriginal Olympian Nova Peris "tokenism of the highest order", drawing an angry response from Labor.
Senator Bernardi told Adelaide radio on Friday that while Peris was an extraordinary athlete, her skills as a politician were yet to be demonstrated.
"I think it's tokenism of the highest order," he said of Prime Minister Julia Gillard's decision to parachute Ms Peris to the top of Labor's Northern Territory Senate ticket - ahead of 15-year incumbent Trish Crossin.
"Basically a sitting senator is being dumped by the prime minister because she's got the wrong colour skin, and I think that's an appalling precedent."
Senator Bernardi - who was dumped from a senior coalition role last year for linking homosexuality to bestiality - also said while Ms Peris could turn out to be a wonderful member of parliament, her path had been tarnished.
"Because there is always going to be that cloud, if you like, of how did you get here and do you deserve to be here?"
But Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin said Ms Peris was a great advocate for Aboriginal people.
"It's a sad reflection on Liberal politicians that so many of them are trying to run down a determined and driven Aboriginal woman who is seeking to represent her community in federal parliament," Ms Macklin said.
Ms Gillard later defended her choice of Ms Peris.
"I've decided that our political party will support a woman who I think is very likely to become the first indigenous woman in Australian parliament," she told ABC radio in Canberra.
She said it would depend on the voters of the Northern Territory.
"But I'm very optimistic that she'll right that part of our history for us."
The opposition leader on Friday reiterated the episode raised fresh questions about Ms Gillard's judgment.
"And I can fully understand why so many Labor MPs are today wondering whether their own jobs are safe," he said.
"This is a prime minister who deals ruthlessly with anyone who is standing in her way."
Prominent Aboriginal leader and Australian of the Year finalist Tom Calma leapt to Ms Peris' defence on Friday, saying the attacks on her were unacceptable.
Ms Peris on Thursday responded to unsubstantiated rumours about her handling of education programs in the Northern Territory and denied misusing NT Department of Education assets.
She released a statement saying the whispers about her departure from the department were "malicious and unfounded rumours".
Dr Calma said all aspiring politicians must be held accountable but should not be subject to vitriol.
"The scrutiny is fine, the vitriol is unacceptable," the social justice campaigner told reporters in Canberra.
If all goes to Ms Gillard's plan, Ms Peris will be the first indigenous woman elected to the federal parliament.
The ALP national executive meets next Tuesday and is expected to endorse Ms Peris as the federal party's NT Senate candidate.
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