HUNTER MP Joel Fitzgibbon will not nominate for the federal Labor deputy leadership because of the gender optics.
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"I may have," he told the Newcastle Herald on Wednesday after throwing his support behind the left's Anthony Albanese.
"But we can't have a male NSW leader of the party and a male NSW deputy leader."
Mr Fitzgibbon was encouraged to nominate for the deputy position on Sunday after a near-death electoral result in which his safe Labor seat was reduced to marginal following a late One Nation assault.
By Tuesday the veteran MP said he would stand for the leadership to shift Labor's city-centric focus to regional and rural Australia.
He said after speaking with Mr Albanese about where Labor failed the bush "I'm satisfied Albo gets it".
In a statement Mr Fitzgibbon, of the party's right, said Chris Bowen's withdrawal from the leadership contest left him "free to put my support behind Anthony Albanese".
"I've had a long discussion with Albo about my demands that the party strengthens its focus on regional Australia, provides it with a meaningful seat at the party's decision-making table, and engages more on the issues which matter most to working people living in our great regions," he said.
"I am satisfied that a Labor Party led by Anthony Albanese will provide that focus and he'll listen closely to the needs and aspirations of our country people. As a consequence, I will not be a part of the leadership contest.
"I wish Albo the very best and look forward to working with him and the team to re-build Labor's support in regional Australia and amongst blue collar workers."