Chalmers backs Swan for national president

Labor frontbencher Jim Chalmers has "enthusiastically" thrown his support behind Wayne Swan in his quest to become the party's national president.

Mr Swan, a former Labor treasurer, announced on Saturday he will be running against the incumbent ALP president Mark Butler at July's national conference.

"He will be an outstanding national president of the party, he's got the passion, he's got the experience, he's got the Labor values to do a terrific job," Dr Chalmers told Sky News on Sunday.