Following the resignation of Liberal Senator Dame Annabelle Rankin in 1971, Bonner was chosen to fill the casual vacancy and he became the first indigenous Australian to sit in the Australian Parliament.
Bonner was chosen to fill the casual vacancy. This was following the resignation of Liberal Senator Dame Annabelle Rankin in 1971. He became the first indigenous Australian. This was following the resignation of Liberal Senator Dame Annabelle Rankin in 1971. This was to sit in the Australian Parliament.