Anthony Albanese has been elected leader of the Labor Party unopposed, in the wake of the Opposition’s stunning election defeat.
Bill Shorten announced he would not stay on in the role, leaving a field of contenders to sound out support from their colleagues.
Shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen was encouraged to run by Mr Shorten and the party’s federal president Wayne Swan.
But he bowed out last week, leaving Mr Albanese, a member of the party’s left faction and the veteran MP for Grayndler in Sydney, as the final candidate standing.
Tanya Plibersek considered running, as did Queensland rising star Jim Chalmers, but both decided not to put themselves forward.
At 10am today when the deadline passed for nominations, Mr Albanese became the leader-elect.
It’s his second tilt at Labor’s top job. He put his hand up in 2013 after the election, standing against Mr Shorten, but was unsuccessful.
He won the majority of votes from rank and file members but MPs backed Mr Shorten over him. Relations between the two have been tense ever since.
Mr Albanese took to Twitter this morning to share the news, saying he was “honoured”.
“Thank you to members of caucus, rank and file members and affiliates for your support,” Mr Albanese wrote. “Together we can return our great Party to government in three years time.”
Honoured to be elected 21st Leader of @AustralianLabor. Thank you to members of caucus, rank and file members and affiliates for your support.
Together we can return our great Party to government in three years time.
I’ll be holding a media conference at noon.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) May 27, 2019
Clare O’Neil yesterday announced she would not run for deputy leader, saying it wasn’t the right time for her after receiving “respectful and honest” feedback from her colleagues, leaving Richard Marles as the only formal contender.
That position will be decided when Labor’s caucus convenes in Canberra later this week for the first time since the election.
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The Australian reports Mr Shorten will receive a frontbench position while Mr Chalmers will take on Treasury.
Mr Albanese will hold a media conference at midday.
More to come
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