Chalmers backs Swan for national president

Former Labor treasurer Wayne Swan will have the support of the party's finance spokesman Jim Chalmers in his quest to become national president.

Wayne Swan has thrown his hat in the ring to become the ALP national president. (AAP)

Labor frontbencher Jim Chalmers has "enthusiastically" thrown his support behind Wayne Swan in his quest to become the party's national president.

Mr Swan, a former Labor treasurer, announced on Saturday he will be running against the incumbent ALP president Mark Butler at July's national conference.

"He will be an outstanding national president of the party, he's got the passion, he's got the experience, he's got the Labor values to do a terrific job," Dr Chalmers told Sky News on Sunday.