Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says Mark Furner will be a welcome addition to her cabinet after the former senator won the support of his factional colleagues.
Mr Furner narrowly beat Linus Power in a vote of MPs from Labor Right faction members on Wednesday night.
He will replace former transport and Commonwealth Games minister Stirling Hinchliffe, who resigned on Monday.
Mr Furner served one six-year term in the Senate between 2008 and 2014, and in 2015 was elected in the state seat of Ferny Grove, which is Labor's most marginal electorate.
Ms Palaszczuk said Mr Furner would be a welcome addition.
"I think Mark will bring extensive experience. He's a former senator for Queensland, he's been a chair of the legal affairs committee, he's a very hard worker," Ms Palaszczuk told reporters in Cairns on Thursday.
He will be formally elevated at a caucus meeting on Friday, after which the premier will announce a reshuffle, although she has given no details about who will permanently take over Mr Hinchliffe's portfolios.
"I"ve made no decisions. I'll make my decision tonight and you'll all know about it tomorrow," Ms Palaszczuk said.
Deputy Premier Jackie Trad is tipped to take back the transport portfolio, which she initially held after the 2015 poll, before handing over the reins to Mr Hinchliffe.
There is also support for Tourism Minister Kate Jones to take back the Commonwealth Games portfolio, although she was diplomatic about her chances on Thursday.
"I'm happy to serve in whatever capacity the premier wishes," Ms Jones said.
Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls hit out at Mr Furner's elevation, claiming his elevation ahead of Mr Power, who had the backing of several frontbench colleagues, was evidence the union movement was calling the shots when it came to Ms Palaszczuk's cabinet.
"Selecting Mark Furner is like putting your hand into the biscuit tin and getting nothing but crumbs," he said.
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