Luke Foley has been elected unopposed as leader of the NSW Labor party.

Returning officer Guy Zangari made the announcement shortly after a special caucus meeting on Monday morning.

The result was expected after Foley’s main rival for the leadership, the shadow treasurer Michael Daley, pulled out of the running last week when the ALP head office threw its support behind Foley.

Foley, who is environment and planning spokesman, replaces John Robertson as opposition leader. Robertson quit after admitting to signing a letter on behalf of the Sydney siege gunman Man Haron Monis as his local MP in 2011.

Foley was the only nominee for the party’s leadership and was elected unopposed.

Linda Burney will continue to serve as deputy leader, Zangari confirmed.

NSW is due to go to the polls in March, with the Mike Baird-led Coalition heavily favoured to be returned.

Foley, 44, will now try to switch from the upper house of parliament to the lower house. He is expected to push to become the ALP’s candidate for the western Sydney seat of Auburn, held by Labor’s Barbara Perry.

Foley is from the party’s left faction and a devoted Catholic who opposes gay marriage. He emerged from the meeting alongside Burney and briefly spoke to the media.

“I assume the leadership of the NSW Labor party with great pride and humility,” he told reporters.



At a later press conference Foley said the election was far from a foregone conclusion.

“I can do a lot,” he said. “Watch this space. Come along for the ride. I am in this to win it.

“I’m a big sports fan as many of you know and I’ve seen some upsets in my time.”

Foley is married with three children – Aoife, Niamh and Patrick.



The acting federal opposition leader, Tony Burke, said he had known Foley since he was a teenager and the new leader was “principled, passionate and relentless”.

“He will be absolutely formidable,” Burke said.

Foley was particularly passionate about health and education, which would dominate the election campaign in March, Burke said.