Labor's new leadership election process is energising the party, says acting leader Chris Bowen.
Talking to media in Sydney on Friday Mr Bowen said it was "a very good thing indeed" that the leadership reforms gave power to Labor's rank and file members.
"Candidates who want to be the alternative prime minister of Australia ... going about the nation and earning their votes, not from 86 people sitting in a party room but, from 40,000 people across the nation," he said.
The Labor caucus endorsed the reforms before the federal election in June.
The rule changes split the vote for leadership 50-50 between caucus and grassroots members, giving the 44,000 rank and file supporters a say for the first time in the party's history.
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Former deputy prime minister Anthony Albanese and former education minister Bill Shorten put themselves forward as candidates earlier this month.
Mr Bowen says the two men have been campaigning in "the spirit of mutual respect".
The results of the leadership ballot will be revealed October 13.
