Federal Labor has left the door open for Sam Dastyari to return to the frontbench after senior opposition MP Mark Dreyfus said there were precedents.
Senator Dastyari stepped down as consumer affairs spokesman and manager of opposition business in the Senate on Wednesday after a week of government attacks.
It followed revelations he'd allowed a Chinese donor to pay a personal debt and reportedly took a pro-China stance on the South China Sea at odds with Labor's position.
Mr Dreyfus noted there was still doubt over what Senator Dastyari actually, despite the comments reported by Chinese media.
"It's not entirely clear," he told ABC radio on Thursday.
"What is clear is that he backs Labor policy."
Mr Dreyfus echoed Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, insisting Senator Dastyari still had a lot to offer parliament.
Whether or nor he returned to the shadow ministry was a matter for the leader and caucus.
"We've seen people come back before from resigning a frontbench position," Mr Dreyfus said.
"He has a prospect, while he remains in the Senate, of coming back."
Meanwhile, Labor is vowing to continue its fight to get foreign government donations to political parties banned.
