Chris Bowen resigns from Cabinet today. Picture: Andrew Meares
Minister for Tertiary Education and former Immigration Minister Chris Bowen says he will run at the next federal election, despite resigning from the cabinet today.
Mr Bowen's seat of McMahon, which was formerly known as Prospect, includes suburbs such as Blacktown, Eastern Creek, Erskine Park, Greystanes, Kemps Creek, Merrylands, Merrylands West, Prospect and South Wentworthville.
The other prominent Rudd supporters who have resigned from their positions are: Ed Husic, Janelle Saffin and Richard Marles.
Simon Crean was sacked and Joel Fitzgibbon has indicated he will resign.
Mr Bowen said the party must now unite and that the issue of leadership has been resolved.
"The Labor Party, like every other party, has to unite and accept the decision of the party."
He said he thinks Simon Crean was courageous in his actions, but the battle is now over.
"He took a big risk and paid a big sacrifice.
"The Labor Party has had two opportunities. They haven't taken them up.
"This matter is finished and I believe that to be the view of all of us who supported Kevin and I believe that to be Kevin's view as well."
"This is a very tough election and the odds are against us. We're the underdogs. No election is unloseable.
"I will fight hard....and I will win it."
Mr Bowen said he is not disappointed Mr Rudd did not run.
"He did the right thing...we advised him the ballot would be close, very close.
"We said any ballot that was close would not resolve the issue of leadership and he did not want to do that to the Labor Party.
"I think Kevin did the right and decent thing in not contesting the vote."
He said a strong Labor Party is vital for the future of Australia.
Mr Bowen said the Greens believe in opportunity not growth while the Opposition believes in growth but not opportunity.
"We're the only party that believes in both."
"If the Labor Party isn't strong who's going to care about the kids from western Sydney and Weipa and giving them the best chance in life?"