Cabinet minister Chris Bowen has urged Kevin Rudd to run for the federal Labor leadership next week.
Mr Rudd, who quit as foreign minister on Wednesday, is expected to challenge Prime Minister Julia Gillard for the leadership in a caucus vote on Monday.
Mr Bowen said if Mr Rudd was to run there would be a choice between "two very good candidates".
"I'm encouraging him to run," the immigration minister told ABC TV on Thursday.
"I think that would be the best thing for the Labor party. I do believe Kevin Rudd has a lot to continue to offer."
Mr Bowen also took aim at critics of Mr Rudd, saying they were trashing the reputation of the former prime minister who deserved to be able to put his case to return to the leadership "with respect".
The minister denied being offered the treasurer's job in a new Rudd government.
"I have not been promised any position," he said.
"This is about who is prime minister of Australia."
Mr Bowen said the caucus needed to reflect on the "qualities" of both candidates and consider there was a lot of support in the community for Mr Rudd.
Asked whether Mr Rudd should rule out future leadership contests if he lost on Monday, Mr Bowen said: "I do agree that we need to resolve this on Monday and we then need to support the winner to go forward to the next election."
Mr Rudd has all but declared he will challenge Ms Gillard in a leadership showdown on Monday.
"I am very pleased and encouraged by the amount of positive support encouraging me to contest the leadership of the Labor party," he said on Thursday from Washington before flying home.
