By Gavin Stone, 6th August 2006- Former world boxing champion Anthony Mundine is set to run for Parliament as an independent at the state election in March, 2007. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the former St George- Illawarra Dragons and Brisbane Broncos rugby league star will contest the inner-city seat of Marrickville, which is held by Education Minister Carmel Tebbutt, a move which seems to be inspired by fury within Redfern’s Aboriginal community over the establishment of a cultural and training centre in memory of Pemulwuy, the legendary Aboriginal warrior of the early 19th century..
Mundine’s uncle, Mick Mundine, has been in a tedious dispute with Planning Minister Frank Sartor over the Pemulwuy project.
Mundine, a staunch non drinker – non smoker, has spent the last two months on a nation wide tour promoting the benefits of a clean lifestyle, with the purpose of reinventing the culture of today’s youth.
“I want to tell the young people not to drink or smoke, encourage these kids to set goals and be motivated to do their best. That’s what I am trying to instill in them.” Mundine stated.
“Believe in yourself, and don’t drink, smoke or take drugs.”
It has been suggested that rugby league and boxing were meerly part of the resume for ‘The Man’, with politics being Mundine’s final destination in years to come. Mundine’s cousin, Warren Mundine, holds the position as president of the Australian Labor Party.
Last year Mundine slammed Australian prime minister John Howard after the Cronulla riots.
“I believe we have problems within society and racism is one of them problems, it’s a bad disease” said ‘The Man’.
“I believe we’ve got leaders that are cowards.
“They are in denial and will not confront the issues and confront the problems that we have with society and to make comments like the leader (Mr Howard) has said, it’s really got me dumbfounded.
“I think people shouldn’t be condemned because of their colour or creed, they should be judged on their deeds and their positive ways to their fellow man, their actions.
“We can live together, we can work together but it’s a matter of letting your actions speak louder than your words.”
It is expected that Mundine will announce his candidacy at a public meeting on Thursday night.
Mundine is currently ranked No 3 in the 168lb – super middleweight division by The Ring- universally recognised world rankings.