Labor MPs have voted and the caucus ballots are under lock and key in preparation for the completion of the ALP's historic new-look leadership contest.
The MPs met in Parliament House on Thursday afternoon to cast their vote for the next parliamentary leader, with the Right's Bill Shorten tipped to get about 60 per cent of caucus support.
Rival Antony Albanese's chances now hinge on a strong showing among the vote of rank-and-file members, who have until 5pm on Friday to get their vote to returning officers.
Continuing the civil spirit of the month-long contest, the contenders walked together to the meeting.
Mr Shorten said the leadership process, which takes into account the wishes of grassroots members as well as MPs for the first time, is going a "long way towards healing" party divisions after its devastating election loss.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"Normally when you lose an election, there tends to be a bout of recriminations and a blame game," he said.
"Hopefully, in this process we've moved to absorb the lessons from the Australian public." Mr Albanese told reporters the ALP had done the right thing by "opening up to our membership, by empowering the membership".
"Three weeks after a significant election defeat, Labor is stronger, more united," he said.
Interim leader Chris Bowen said the leadership process had energised the party after its September 7 federal election defeat, with 4000 new membership applications received.
"It's an indication by Labor supporters across the country saying, `if the Labor party is prepared to be open and inclusive, then I want to be part of the process'," Mr Bowen said.
Mr Bowen rejected claims MPs had voted along factional lines, which would make a mockery of claims the new leadership process had democratised the party.
"There were left wingers voting for Bill, right wingers voting for Anthony based on their decision about who is best placed to lead the Labor Party into the next election," he told reporters after the vote.
Labor chief whip Chris Hayes said he would keep the caucus votes under lock and key until they were tallied with the rank and file votes ahead of Sunday's announcement of the new leader.
ALP members and supporters are likely to be the first to know when party headquarters sends out an email at about 2pm.
Mr Bowen, Mr Hayes and Labor's National President Jenny McAllister will then meet the media.
Labor National Secretary George Wright said 27,000 votes had been cast so far from 43,000 members.
"I wouldn't be surprised if we get 30,000 votes to count tomorrow and Saturday," he told Sky News.
"This sort of participatory democracy, there is a big appetite for it. It will be a very good thing for our party. It's a good thing for democracy in Australia."
But senior Liberal Christopher Pyne said the ballot was another example of Labor "talking about themselves".
"They engage in this myopic discussion about Labor and who's going to be leader," he told Sky News.
"The truth is, it is just two factional warlords fighting it out, one from the left, one from the right."
