Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen is on a collision course with his own party over the push for Labor to adopt the "Buffett rule", an anti-tax avoidance measure that forces high income earners to pay a set minimum level of income tax each year.

Mr Bowen was quick to rule out taking the policy to the next election when Fairfax Media first revealed sections of the Left of the ALP were determined to put it on the agenda to counter the populist appeal of One Nation.

Crucially, it has gained the support of Mr Bowen's predecessor, former treasurer Wayne Swan, an influential member of his own Right faction.

Despite Mr Bowen's resistance, the idea is not yet dead, buried or cremated.