The New South Wales shadow treasurer, Michael Daley, has reportedly announced he will not contest the Labor leadership.
Steve Whan had earlier withdrawn from the race. Daley’s decision leaves Luke Foley as the only candidate.
The former state opposition leader John Robertson resigned on 23 December after a furore over revelations he sent a letter in 2011 on behalf of the Sydney siege gunman, Man Haron Monis, who was a constituent.
Daley was the first Labor MP to say he would run for leadership after Robertson stood down
Announcing his withdrawal on Tuesday, Daley said he was looking forward to working with Foley as Labor leader.
“I’d like to congratulate Luke on his impending victory,” Daley told reporters in Sydney. “It was apparent to me that Luke was going to win the contest.
“I could have hung in and taken this to a ballot on Monday but that would have just been a waste of time.”
He said the premier, Mike Baird, should be very worried about the choice the Labor party would make on Monday.
“Luke is a very, very formidable character,” 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 Foley over lunch earlier in the day and had not asked to be handed any portfolios under his leadership.
After his expected anointment as leader next week, Foley will likely turn his attention to becoming Labor’s candidate for the western Sydney seat of Auburn, currently held by Labor’s Barbara Perry.
