Former Labor senator Katy Gallagher has announced she will try to win back her Senate seat at the next federal election, setting up an internal contest with her newly elected replacement David Smith.
The ACT senator was ejected from parliament last month when the High Court ruled she was invalidly elected under Section 44 of the Constitution for holding a British citizenship.
The decision sparked a wave of resignations, exposing three more Labor MPs and one Centre Alliance MP to an upcoming 'Super Saturday' of by-elections in late July.
Ms Gallagher said her disqualification had been a "humbling experience" but she had been convinced to run again through conversations with friends and colleagues.
She said Labor leader Bill Shorten, deputy Tanya Plibersek and the party's Senate leader Penny Wong were among the "very persuasive people" who supported her return.
"There's certainly been a fair bit of soul searching," she told ABC local radio in Canberra.
"If you'd asked me the day of the High Court decision it might have been a different decision to the one I have today."
Despite the endorsement of the Labor leader, Ms Gallagher will have to face her replacement Senator David Smith in a preselection contest to secure the top spot on the party's Senate ballot paper at the next election, which will be held some time in the next 12 months.
Senator Smith, the former ACT head of the union Professionals Australia who was elected in a recount following the court's decision, confirmed he would contest the internal poll.
"I welcome Senator Gallagher putting her hand up," he told reporters at Parliament House on Friday.
"People across the branches are saying I should put my hand up for Senate preselection."
Ms Gallagher said she expected the contest would be "collegiate".
"It doesn't need to get ugly and in most cases it doesn't."
There was some speculation that Ms Gallagher may run for a Lower House seat instead - possibly the newly created seat of Bean.
But Ms Gallagher said she felt she could make a greater contribution in her previous role.
"I love the Senate," she said.
Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese welcomed news the former ACT senator would try to win back her seat, which has been filled by David Smith, .
"Katy Gallagher was making an outstanding contribution, she has more to contribute, and I'm sure that everyone in Labor's leadership team will welcome that," he told the Nine Network on Friday.
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