Labor MP Ed Husic has announced he will stand aside to allow Kristina Keneally to be promoted to the Opposition front bench.
After playing a prominent role in Labor's election campaign, Senator Keneally was expected to be promoted to the shadow ministry, but the party's right faction was reportedly resisting the move.
Mr Husic's decision to stand aside for fellow NSW right member Senator Keneally should overcome the factional barrier.
Kristina Keneally travelled with the opposition leader as the 'bus captain' during the campaign. Source: AAP
The move maintains the balance between the left and right factions' representation on Labor's front bench.
"We need to ensure someone of Kristina's enormous talents has the opportunity to make a powerful contribution on the frontline, in the Senate," Mr Husic said in a statement.
Senator Keneally thanked her Labor colleague for his "gracious and strong support".
"Ed is talented, he enjoys wide support in the NSW Right and across the ALP," she tweeted.
His decision follows comments from Labor leader-elect Anthony Albanese who said he had made it clear to caucus he wanted Senator Keneally as part of his team.
He said he was talking to colleagues "not with hats on".
"I'm talking to them about the Labor interest - not any factional interest, not any state interest, the Labor interest."
Asked about the future of outgoing Labor leader Bill Shorten, Mr Albanese said he would be respected as a former leader.
"I will treat him with the appropriate respect," he said.
Labor's caucus will meet on Thursday to finalise the shadow ministry.
