McAllister set to fill Faulkner's seat

Australian Labor Party national president Jenny McAllister is poised to take the NSW Senate spot caused by stalwart John Faulkner's retirement.

Senator Faulkner announced his retirement in April but his term does not expire until mid-2017.

A ballot of delegates is expected to endorse Ms McAllister, who will be named on Sunday during the NSW ALP conference.

The left faction's Ms McAllister will be Labor's number two candidate at the 2016 Senate election in NSW, behind sitting Senator Sam Dastyari from the right.

Holding the presidency since 2011, Ms McAllister works for infrastructure advisory firm AECOM and has previously worked as a public servant and adviser to Labor politicians.

Senator Faulkner has been in the upper house since 1989 and served as a minister in the Keating, Rudd and Gillard governments.

In announcing his retirement he said to seek a further six-year term would be "an indulgence".

Senator Faulkner also held the position of ALP national president in 2007-08.