Labor NSW's new leader Luke Foley is drawing inspiration from conservative Campbell Newman who became Queensland premier without previously holding a seat in parliament.
Mr Newman announced on Tuesday that Queenslanders will head to the polls on January 31 while NSW elections are in March.
Mr Foley, who became opposition leader on Monday despite not holding a lower house seat, has now moved to install former Labor minister Jodi McKay into his shadow ministry even though she has been out of parliament since 2011.
He was asked if his elevation to the ALP's top job and Ms McKay's promotion could be seen as arrogant considering they were both campaigning to win lower house seats.
"I'm running for premier from the upper house but my commitment is to contest a lower house seat," Mr Foley, Labor's upper house leader, told reporters in Sydney on Tuesday.
"Campbell Newman ran for premier from outside the parliament and did pretty well."
Ms McKay, who has been handed the planning portfolio, is running in the Liberal-held seat of Strathfield in Sydney's inner west, while Mr Foley is trying to become the ALP's candidate in Auburn, now held by Labor's Barbara Perry.
Ms McKay lost her old seat of Newcastle in 2011 after an alleged smear campaign against her by her Labor colleagues.
In an emotional appearance before the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in May, Ms McKay heard claims of deep involvement by her former Labor colleagues in the campaign against her.
The commission heard claims Nathan Tinkler's Buildev bankrolled the anti-McKay campaign because she opposed a proposed coal-loader that would have been worth a fortune to the company.
Mr Foley said he chose the "incorruptible" Ms McKay for planning to show he was serious about fighting corruption.
"I want every fly-by-nighter and lurk merchant to know not to bother because this incorruptible woman Jodi McKay will be on the planning beat," he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Foley said Ms Perry had asked him to be taken off his frontbench, while former opposition leader John Robertson had also requested to be switched to the backbench.
Deputy opposition leader Linda Burney takes on ageing and disability services, while Mr Foley picks up infrastructure and Western Sydney portfolios.
