Justine Elliot backed Albanese for Labor leadership
RICHMOND MP Justine Elliot backed losing candidate Anthony Albanese in the Labor leadership contest in which Bill Shorten emerged victorious on Sunday.
But Ms Elliot said despite the tight result, the party was now "100% behind" Mr Shorten and the process which saw rank rank-and-file members get a say in the leadership for the first time had re-invigorated the party.
Mr Shorten won the contest after receiving 52 per cent of the combined vote of caucus and rank-and-file members.
About 300 party members voted in the leadership contest in the seat of Richmond and about 100 on the Tweed.
Ms Elliot staged a barbecue at Condong Bowling Club on Saturday to thank the party volunteers who helped get her re-elected at the September 9 Federal poll.
She said the party was abuzz with enthusiasm for the democratic process with many commenting that it was something that Liberal and National Party members did not get to partake in.
Federal Labor MPs are meeting in Canberra today to decide who will be Mr Shorten's deputy and frontbench team.
Tanya Plibersek was expected to be voted in as Mr Shorten's deputy.
