Bill Shorten has picked prominent Indigenous leader Pat Dodson to replace retiring Labor senator Joe Bullock.
Senator Bullock on Tuesday night announced he would leave parliament within weeks, citing his disagreement with Labor over a binding vote for MPs on same-sex marriage.
Mr Dodson is expected to get the nod from senior ALP figures at a meeting convened by national secretary George Wright this week, before being formally endorsed by the West Australian parliament for the casual vacancy.
The decision will head off a messy factional brawl in WA, but kill off former senator Louise Pratt's chance of returning to parliament any time soon.
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"We should put aside the rough and tumble of the party system and give someone of Pat Dodson's remarkable qualities the opportunity to serve as a senator," Mr Shorten said.
Mr Dodson, who has not been a member of the ALP since the 1980s, said he was honoured by Mr Shorten's support.
"After many conversations it became clear to me that this was a good opportunity and one that should not be passed up," Mr Dodson told reporters.
Mr Dodson was Australia's first Aboriginal Catholic priest, ordained in 1975.
Following his departure from the church in 1981, he worked with the Central Land Council of which he became director in 1985.
In 1989 he was appointed a commissioner of the landmark royal commission into Aboriginal deaths in custody and two years later became the inaugural chairman of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation.
"He is ... a truth teller, a powerful advocate for recognition, justice, equality and fairness for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people," Mr Shorten said.
Mr Dodson said he wanted to pursue constitutional recognition of indigenous people and ways to reduce indigenous jail rates.
