"A greater respect for the dignity of Indigenous people will flow," 'Father of Reconciliation' Pat Dodson, newly elected Labor senator and 2016 Labor candidate, told 'The Point'.
"But also a greater enhancement to the nation in the appreciation of the richness of Indigenous heritage and culture.
The five other candidates include WA’s first female indigenous politician Carol Martin, who is contesting the seat of Durack for Labor, Tammy Solonec former Greens candidate contesting the Perth seat of Swan, Nationals candidate Kado Muir, anti-uranium protestor and former Greens candidate, Barry Winmar contesting the seat of Canning and Assistant Health Minister Ken Wyatt contesting the seat of Hasluck for Liberal.
Mr Wyatt says the number of candidates indicates there will be even more Indigenous politicians in the future.
"The confidence is building," he told 'The Point'.
“And I think we will see more and more [candidates] in the future.”
I think we will see more Indigenous people within parties on merit and capability within the Australian Parliament.
The record number of Indigenous candidates spans nationwide with a total 10 candidates putting up their hands.
“It’s healthy for Australia and it’s a great point of history because of the number of candidates, we’ve never had this number before,” Mr Wyatt says.
Source: The Point
