Stephen Conroy backs Bill Shorten to stay on Labor frontbench

Labor powerbroker Stephen Conroy backs Bill Shorten for the frontbench, saying he wouldn’t undermine Anthony Albanese.

Bill Shorten is hoping for a position on Anthony Albanese’s frontbench. Picture: Stuart McEvoy.

A Labor powerbroker has backed Bill Shorten’s push to stay on the opposition frontbench, saying he would not undermine his successor Anthony Albanese as other former leaders have.

The Australian understands the former Labor leader has indicat­ed his preference for taking the health portfolio and has spoken­ with Mr Albanese about his intention to serve on the oppos­ition frontbench.

Former Victorian senator Stephen Conroy told Sky News that Mr Shorten still had a contribution to make and would not be a “Kevin Rudd or Malcolm Turnbull” figure.

“Bill’s still got a lot to contribute. He is not a Kevin Rudd, he is not a Malcolm Turnbull. He is someone that actually wants to see the Labor Party succeed,” Mr Conroy told Sky News.

“The difference with Kevin and Malcolm was they were very much outsiders who came in, and they were pursuing their ambitions to the exclusion of all else … Bill is a party man first, second and third.

“He has indicated he should be a nominee (for the Labor shadow cabinet). I’m sure he’ll get elected, I don’t think there will be any opposition to that.”

Mr Albanese’s frontbench is expected to include most of the team Mr Shorten took to this month’s federal election.

Mr Shorten, who resigned after leading Labor to a second election loss, had encouraged other leadership contenders such as Tanya Plibersek and Chris Bowen to take on Mr Albanese but they opted not to run.

Labor’s poor performance in the state has prompted party powerbrokers to hand Queensland Right MPs two spots on the ­frontbench, likely securing the position of immigration spokesman Shayne Neumann.

The move is expected to force a member of the powerful NSW Right faction off the frontbench to make way for senator Kristina Keneally, with Ed Husic and Jason Clare under pressure to retain their shadow ministerial ­positions.

Senior Labor sources said incoming deputy leader Richard Marles, who has the power to choose his portfolio, has voiced interest in taking on foreign affair­s but is expected to remain in defence after pushback from Penny Wong.