Malarndirri McCarthy says she's prepared to encounter racism after winning the fight to succeed Nova Peris at the top of Labor's Senate ticket in the Northern Territory.
The journalist, former territory government minister and Aboriginal woman is currently based in Sydney, isn't a paid-up member of the Labor Party and isn't yet enrolled to vote in the NT.
She was one of five candidates, including Peris' chief of staff Ursula Raymond, up for preselection and was endorsed unanimously by the ALP's national executive on Monday.
"As the member for Arnhem, I did endure unfair, unnecessary accusations being a woman, being a black woman and (was) never, ever really looked at in terms of my qualifications and the skills that I brought," Ms McCarthy told reporters in Darwin on Tuesday.
Senator Peris, Australia's first female indigenous federal parliamentarian, quit last week for family reasons.
Her decision followed reports she was being considered for the AFL's top indigenous adviser role.
A NSW man has since been charged with posting a racist and expletive-laden tirade on the outgoing senator's Facebook page.
Ms McCarthy anticipated similar attitudes.
"I'm conscious that stepping on the national scene that obviously (racism) is out there," she said.
NT Chief Minister Adam Giles derided the journalist's preselection, saying she presided over the worst child protection system the territory had ever seen.
"We're still rebuilding child protection after she was minister," he said.
"I think she's got a lot to answer for."
But Ms McCarthy said she came at the Senate job with much-needed experience.
"We have far too many children, particularly indigenous children, across this country being removed from their families," she said.
"We have to get it better. We have to get it right."
The ALP labelled Ms McCarthy a champion for indigenous culture, particularly with young people.
Speaking in Brisbane on Tuesday, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said Ms McCarthy had previously represented the Territory and could do so again.
"I'm confident she can do that," he said.
