Jim Chalmers has joined Chris Bowen in declaring he won't be running for the Labor leadership.
In a statement on Thursday morning, Chalmers said he had given running "very careful consideration" and there were good reasons to put his hand up.
"But in the end I couldn’t be assured of winning, and if I did win the extra responsibilities of leadership would make it much harder to do my bit at home while the youngest of our three little kids is only five months old," he said.
The shadow finance spokesman thanked colleagues, members, activists and people around the country who had contacted him "and urged me to run on a platform of generational change".
He said he was surprised at the level of support and hoped he hadn't let them down.
I won’t be putting my hand up for the leadership of the Australian Labor Party this time around. (1/7)
I spoke to Anthony Albanese this morning and told him I will enthusiastically support him and work tirelessly with our team to give Australians the Labor Government they need and deserve at the next opportunity. (7/7)
The decision means Anthony Albanese remains the only contender in the race to replace Bill Shorten as Labor leader following last weekend's surprise election defeat.
Earlier this week Tanya Plibersek also ruled herself out of the running.
I am very grateful for the support I have received from my colleagues, from party members and others, urging me to run for the Labor leadership. I thank them from the bottom of my heart for their support. But now is not my time. https://t.co/37ntsXRusF
And yesterday Bowen brought his election campaign to an end, just one day after saying he would run.
Chris Bowen has withdrawn from the Labor leadership race. https://t.co/uq2mFCWS3T
In terms of who will be deputy leader, Clare O'Neil has said she is considering it.
Huge congratulations to @AlboMP on his success. Onwards to 2022. Many Labor people - particularly Labor women - have contacted me in recent days encouraging me to run for Labor Deputy Leader to ensure there is a women in the Leader/Deputy team. (1/2)
One of the best things about Labor is that women are encouraged to put themselves forward for leadership roles and I know that will continue. I’m going to talk to a few colleagues about whether it’s possible for me at this point. (2/2)
Defence spokesman Richard Marles is also reported to be considering running, as is Chalmers.
Richard Marles will run for Deputy Labor Leadership. Part of his pitch will be that he was not part of previous leadership group that decided key policies.
Let's just hope that if Albanese is elected, everyone uses the correct Twitter handle...
Thoughts and prayers with this Italian erotic comic artist named Albo, who has been abruptly buried beneath a deluge of tweets about craft beer, franking credits and the Newtown Jets. 😭 #auspol https://t.co/m2ReWi4kyI