Qld Labor defector backs socialist for Syd

A Queensland MP who defected from the Labor party has thrown his support behind a Socialist Alliance candidate for the federal seat of Sydney.

Rob Pyne has tweeted his support for political activist Peter Boyle in the seat currently held by Labor's deputy Tanya Plibersek, although it's at risk of falling to the Greens on the back of Liberal preferences.

"I am proud to call Peter Boyle a friend & happily endorse him for the seat of Sydney," Mr Pyne tweeted on Thursday night.

Earlier this week, Pyne backed another left-wing candidate - the Greens' Kurt Pudniks in Leichhardt in far north Queensland.