Former Melbourne city councillor Kimberley Kitching has formally launched her tilt for Julia Gillard's safe seat of Lalor, one of four nominations received by ALP head office in Melbourne ahead of a 5pm deadline on Friday.
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A little-known rank and file candidate from Werribee, Brian Dunn, has also entered the contest for one of Labor's safest federal seats.
A third nominee, local resident and primary school principal, Joanne Ryan, is backed by Ms Gillard.
Sandra Willis, Oz Opera's general manager and daughter of former Keating-era treasurer and western suburbs stalwart Ralph Willis, has also lodged her nomination.
At least one other candidate is expected before the nomination cut-off: diplomat Lisa Clutterham.
Despite a difficult media debut on Thursday morning, described by Mr Rudd as "curious" - and a lack of Victorian or ALP pedigree - preselection newcomer Lisa Clutterham has won backing from key factional players in her tilt for Lalor, in Melbourne's west.
A meeting of a national executive committee to discuss pre-selection scheduled for Friday has been cancelled. The national executive is now expected to meet on Saturday.
The cancellation of the meeting comes as Labor's candidate in the Sydney seat of Bennelong, Jeff Salvestro-Martin, was disendorsed.
The seats up for grabs are those vacated by former ministers Craig Emerson, Greg Combet, Peter Garrett, Simon Crean and Ms Gillard, who all announced they would quit politics after Labor's leadership change last month.
