"It is my intention that I will serve out my term and fully support and endorse my replacement for the number one position on the Labor Senate ticket, whoever that might be." Senator Nova Peris Credit:Andrew Meares Fairfax Media revealed on Monday that the former athlete, handpicked by former prime minister Julia Gillard to contest the 2013 election, is a candidate for the most senior Indigenous position in the football code. But the senator's success in her new venture is far from guaranteed. Fairfax Media has been told that Justin Mohamed, chief executive of Reconciliation Australia, is also in the mix and is perhaps the more likely choice. It is understood Senator Peris angered Labor figures by not warning them of the prospect and it's unlikely the party will have time for a formal pre-selection process, forcing the executive to appoint a candidate.

The senior AFL position would be focused on Aboriginal issues, having previously involved multicultural diversity. AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan refused to be drawn on the issue, saying a process was under way and "we've got some high-quality candidates". The resignation could create a hiccup for the Opposition Leader's campaign schedule. He was expected to visit the Michael Long Learning & Leadership Centre, an Indigenous AFL facility in the Northern Territory, later in the week. Presumably, he was to be accompanied by the senator. Announcing her decision, Senator Peris said she never saw herself as a "career politician" and endorsed her uncle, recently appointed senator and respected Aboriginal leader Pat Dodson, to take on the Aboriginal affairs portfolio currently held by frontbencher Shayne Neumann. "As a Northern Territory senator, it has been an incredible honour and privilege to serve and work hard for all of my constituents in the NT," she said.

"As the first Aboriginal female in federal politics as well as the Labor Party's first Aboriginal member in Federal Parliament I certainly had challenges, but none that I couldn't handle or was not prepared for, having already lived a very public and documented life." She said she was pleased to see Labor's "affirmative action" in endorsing six Indigenous candidates at this election. Senator Peris was the first Indigenous Australian to become an Olympic champion, winning gold in hockey at the 1996 Atlanta games and reaching the finals in Sydney in the 4 x 400 relay. Her "captain's pick" selection by Ms Gillard, at the expense of Left faction senator Trish Crossin, caused consternation in the Labor Party at the time. Ms Crossin is reportedly "oscillating between anger and laughter" after the announcement, telling Sky News that Ms Gillard now owed her an apology.

From 2013 to 2015, Senator Peris was deputy chair of the parliamentary committee on Indigenous constitutional recognition. "She's a distinguished Territorian, she is a distinguished Indigenous Australian," Mr Shorten said after her announcement. "I am very grateful for the time that she has served the Labor Party and the people of the NT. She departs with my absolute best wishes." He said there would be a range of candidates to replace her and the party will "go through its process in the coming days". Before the resignation was confirmed, the Northern Territory's other senator, Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion called on Labor to clarify the situation.