The acting Labor leader says the month-long leadership contest between Anthony Albanese and Bill Shorten will open up and galvanise the party, with members and parliamentarians given an equal say under new party rules.
Mr Albanese is tipped to win the support of rank-and-file supporters, but Bill Shorten is said to have majority backing in caucus, raising questions about whether the eventual leader's authority could be undermined by the ballot process.
But Mr Bowen says the new leader will have more legitimacy than "any other political leader in Australia's history", the candidates having sought the backing of the party's 40,000 members.
"I think this is a good process having Bill and Anthony go around the country ... talking to ordinary people, ordinary Labor supporters and putting the case as to why they can best be the alternative prime minister of Australia," Mr Bowen told Sky News on Sunday.
"If they can put that case to Labor party members and supporters, then they can put the case to the Australian people over the next three years."
However, he admitted it would be impossible to win the leadership without significant backing in caucus.
"It will be impossible to get very little support in the caucus and big support in the branch membership," he said.
"That's just not going to happen."
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