Corio MP Richard Marles set to run for deputy Labor leadership
FORMER trade minister Richard Marles is set to run for the deputy Labor leadership with Anthony Albanese all but confirmed for the top job.
FORMER trade minister Richard Marles is set to run for the deputy Labor leadership with Anthony Albanese all but confirmed for the top job.
The Corio MP is one of several in contention for the deputy role, held by Sydney MP Tanya Plibersek for the past five years.
It comes as Queensland MP Jim Chalmers ruled himself out of the leadership race, only a day after former treasurer Chris Bowen decided to stay on the sidelines.
Outgoing opposition leader Bill Shorten was set to back either Mr Bowen or Mr Chalmers in the event of a contested ballot.
Mr Marles hails from the Victorian right faction and would balance the Albanese leadership, with the latter from the NSW left faction.
It is understood there is growing consensus for Labor to avoid a party ballot, which would be held under rules drawn up by then PM Kevin Rudd prior to the 2013 federal election.
Under the Rudd rules, the leader is determined through a ballot of caucus as well as a grassroots ballot.
In the 2013 leadership contest, Mr Albanese won the rank-and-file but failed to persuade a majority in caucus to back him over Mr Shorten.
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