Labor unfazed by Mundine politics bid

Mr Mundine will reportedly contest the inner-city seat of Marrickville, currently held by Ms Tebbutt, the Education Minister.

The outspoken Aboriginal Muslim is a cousin of ALP president Warren Mundine and is expected to announce his candidacy on Thursday, according to today's Sun-Herald.

Even though he would have little chance of winning the seat in Sydney's inner west, he could take votes away from Labor.

The Labor Party has held the seat for 94 years but suffered a seven per cent swing against it at the last election.

Ms Tebbutt said Mr Mundine's foray into politics would have little influence on her campaign.

"I've always said the next election is going to be a tough campaign," she said.

"I'll be working hard to represent the people of Marrickville and will continue to do so."

The seat covers the inner western suburbs of Newtown to Marrickville and Petersham to Dulwich Hill, but does not include Mundine's heartland in Redfern.

Mr Mundine, 31, has been a vocal spokesman for Aboriginal and Muslim issues.

He will need to broaden his support base, however, with 1.3 per cent of the electorate's voters being Aboriginal and three per cent Muslim.

The Sun-Herald said the former rugby league player has the support of the Bishop of Gippsland, John McIntyre, who was a priest in Redfern before moving to Victoria.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20037798-29277,00.html