He may still be without a lower house seat, but NSW Labor's Luke Foley has all but sealed victory in next week's leadership ballot after his rival Michael Daley pulled out of the contest.
Mr Daley, who is shadow treasurer and from the party's right faction, said while it would have been a close race, it had become clear to him that Mr Foley had the numbers for Monday's caucus ballot.
"I'd like to congratulate Luke on his impending victory," Mr Daley told reporters.
Mr Daley was the first Labor MP to put up his hand to replace John Robertson who stood down last week after revelations he had signed a letter in 2011 on behalf of the Sydney siege gunman Man Haron Monis as his local MP.
Mr Foley is from the party's left and is Labor's upper house leader. He is understood to have secured the backing of the ALP's head office.
After his expected anointment as leader next week, Mr Foley will turn his focus to winning a seat in the lower house of parliament.
He's expected to push to become the ALP's candidate for the western Sydney seat of Auburn, now held by Labor's Barbara Perry.
Mr Daley said Premier Mike Baird should be very worried about a Labor Party led by Mr Foley.
"Luke is a very, very formidable character," Mr Daley said.
"He's got a mind like a steel trap and he will be more than a match for Mike Baird."
He said he had discussed his decision with Mr Foley over lunch earlier in the day and had not asked to be handed any portfolios under his leadership.
Mr Daley's decision to withdraw from the ballot comes days after upper house MP Steve Whan also pulled out of the contest.
NSW will go to the polls in March.
Comment has been sought from Mr Foley.
Share
