The Greens will seek to capitalise on bad blood over the shafting of veteran Labor senator Trish Crossin by running Aboriginal country singer, Warren H Williams, in the Northern Territory senate race. Mr Williams, a multiple ARIA award winner and a major star in the Top End an the country music scene, will take on political novice Nova Peris for the one winnable seat for the progressive side of politics. Ms Peris, the former Olympian, was Julia Gillard's controversial "captain's pick" after the Prime Minister intervened to dump senator Crossin in January despite her 15 years of service. The decision is still causing headaches for Ms Gillard, with Labor senators lining up last week to condemn the "abominable" treatment of Senator Crossin as she delivered her valedictory speech to parliament. Labor has never failed to take one of the two Northern Territory seats - and Ms Peris remains the favourite - but ABC election expert Antony Green said there was a danger for Labor that a protest vote over the treatment of Senator Crossin fragments the vote away from Ms Peris and benefits the Greens. Since then, his profile has grown. The 49-year-old from Hermannsburg, 131 kilometres south-west of Alice Springs, last year was awarded the Australia Council's Red Ochre Award, a $50,000 prize in recognition of his contribution to indigenous arts. He spent years touring with John Williamson. Mr Williams said the election race should not be reduced to a contest between two high-profile indigenous people. "I'm standing because I believe it's the right thing to do, not because of any other candidate running, their name or the fact that they are Aboriginal or not," he said. I put my hand up for this, I didn't get picked. He nominated land rights, protecting the land and the Greens' opposition to uranium mining as a reason he wanted to represent the party. The Greens announced Mr Williams along with other senate candidates in Canberra on Wednesday Greens leader Christine Milne said: "Warren grew up in the Territory and has spent a lot of time working closely with local communities standing up for Aboriginal rights and fighting to protect the environment and caring for people. He understands the challenges the NT faces and the issues that matter to Northern Territory voters. He will provide a strong voice for the Top End in the Senate, helping us stop the excesses of a Tony Abbott government.