The New South Wales Labor party will vote later today on a new party leader after the former leader Luke Foley resigned on Thursday, moving to the backbench.
Mr Foley has also decided he will not recontest his seat of Auburn in March's state election, after ABC journalist Ashleigh Raper detailed a 2016 incident in which he allegedly put his hand down her underpants.
Mr Foley denies the allegations and has threatened defamation proceedings against Ms Raper.
Federal Labor leader Bill Shorten said Ms Raper deserves respect.
Labor's NSW Deputy leader Michael Daley said he also supports Ms Raper.
She's a credible person and I believe her," he told reporters in Sydney.
"Ashleigh Raper did not deserve to be treated that way."
Mr Foley wrote on Friday to the party's general secretary saying he would run out his term and not seek re-election.
Mr Foley said he'd had time to reflect and talk to friends and colleagues, and had decided to resign his endorsement for the seat of Auburn.
"The Party must focus on the election which is at hand. I do not want to be a distraction," his letter reads.
"I will continue to work for the people of my electorate as Member for Auburn until the election.
The ALP released a statement confirming they had accepted Mr Foley's decision.
Chris Minns
* Born September 17, 1979 (age 39)
* Married with two children
* Joined the ALP at 17 and became the president of Young Labor
* Studied at Princeton University
* Former deputy mayor of Hurstville City Council
* Elected Member for Kogarah in Sydney's south in 2015 and Shadow Minister for Water in 2016
* Reportedly flagged as Foley's successor early in his parliamentary career
* Said he "was never interested in politics" and only interested in the Labor Party in inaugural speech and called for Mandarin to be taught in NSW schools to take advantage of the Asian century
* Also used maiden speech to call for a reduction in "union control" of Labor
* Indicated he'd focus on young people and families, urban planning and lockout laws if he replaces Foley.
Michael Daley
* Born November 1, 1965 (age 53)
* Married with four children
* Before parliament, he was a senior corporate lawyer at NRMA Motoring & Services. Admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW as a legal practitioner in 1998
* Served as a councillor on Randwick City Council for 13 years, including four years as deputy mayor
* Elected to NSW parliament in September 2005 as the member for Maroubra, in Sydney's eastern suburbs
* Served as minister for Roads, Police and Finance between 2009 and 2011 under premiers Nathan Rees and Kristina Keneally
* Currently NSW Labor's deputy leader, shadow treasurer, and finance and services spokesman
* In 2012 he was accused of being drunk while delivering a speech in parliament and was ejected from the chamber at 2.30am after an altercation. He later apologised and admitted to "having a couple of drinks" but denied being inebriated.
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