Indigenous party change of guard flags poll tilt

Melanie Arnost ABC News 01 March 2013

The former president of an Indigenous political party says he has stepped down to make way for new blood.

Australia's First Nations Political Party founder Maurie Japarta Ryan has been replaced by Ken Lechleitner from Alice Springs.

But Mr Ryan, 64, says he plans to represent the party as a Senate Candidate in this year's Federal election.

"I'm not tired yet," he said.

"I haven't given up on the political side of things but I think, having a new person in here, it's time to let go.

"And that's what I'm doing."

Mr Ryan decided to start a political party in the 1980s, after a former Northern Territory chief minister warned voters that "blacks" would "steal their backyards".

Mr Lechleitner says he, too, hopes to stand as a candidate in this year's federal election.

"I'm hoping to tackle the House of Reps, the seat of Lingiari," he said.

Lingiari is currently held by the ALP's Warren Snowdon.

Photo: Maurie Japarta Ryan decided to start a political party in the 1980s, after a former Northern Territory chief minister warned voters that "blacks" would "steal their backyards".
(ABC; Emma Sleath)