Queenslander Jim Chalmers’ hat in the ring for Labor leadership

Anthony Albanese has become front runner to take over as Labor leader but could face a battle with a Queenslander vying to seize control of the shattered party.

ANTHONY Albanese has become front runner to take over as Labor leader but could face a battle with Queenslander Jim Chalmers to seize control of the shattered party.

Dr Chalmers is seriously considering a run for the role and was gathering support among Labor’s dominant right faction as the best-placed to signal a break with the failed Bill Shorten era and rebuild much-needed support in the Sunshine State.

Mr Albanese yesterday improved his chances of gaining the role after Tanya Plibersek pulled out of the race despite receiving endorsements from Mr Shorten and Julia Gillard.

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The left-wing firebrand from inner Sydney suggested he would be able to connect with voters in outer suburbs and regions, declaring Labor should dump unpopular policies like its crack down on franking credits.

Former treasury spokesman Chris Bowen, who could be tarnished as the architect of Labor’s higher tax policies, is weighing up a bid for the leadership and is likely to declare his hand on Tuesday.

Labor MPs Jim Chalmers and Anthony Albanese are vying for the position of Labor leader.

Right wingers Joel Fitzgibbon from NSW and Richard Marles from Victoria were also weighing up standing but appear unlikely to have enough support.

Less than two days after taking Labor to an unexpected election loss, Mr Shorten was trying to block his former rival Mr Albanese and was lobbying MPs to back Ms Plibersek to replace him as leader.

But this appears to have backfired and Ms Plibersek withdrew a day after declaring her interest in the role.

“I have support, from across the party, to be elected leader,” she said.

“But now is not my time.”

Chris Bowen is expected to make his leadership intentions known on Tuesday. Picture: AAP/Lukas Coch

Mr Albanese said his party needed to learn from its drubbing at the ballot box.

“We’ve got to acknowledge that the voters sent us a message on Saturday, and it’s no good pretending that we don’t need to change some policies, but also some of the tactics as well,” he told Adelaide radio.

He said “quite clearly” Labor’s plans on franking credits “impacted on people’s hip pockets” including some who “weren’t very wealthy people”.

Queensland MP Graham Perrett said Mr Albanese’s background in transport showed he understood the needs of a decentralised state while his love for rugby league would help in the Sunshine State “even if he is Blues supporter”.

Mr Fitzgibbon said Labor’s unclear position on Adani’s coal mine fuelled a backlash in his NSW Hunter Valley seat.

“Adani became a problem to us. We equivocated over it,” he told ABC.

“It was fair for Hunter coal miners to think, well, if they are not prepared to back the mining industry in Queensland, why will would they back us in the Hunter Valley?”