Former Labor leader Bill Shorten has admitted Monash won't be an easy seat to win at next week's Federal election, but said Jessica O'Donnell was a "stand out candidate."
Mr Shorten officially launched Ms O'Donnell's Monash campaign at Broughton Hall, Jindivick with party faithful from across the electorate.
Confidently, he said there were three reasons why the ALP could win the election in Monash and the strength of the party's candidate was the main reason.
"I am a big fan of Jessica O'Donnell...she has a family team guarded with family values...she has strong Labor values and values of the movement.
Mr Shorten said he was told about Ms O'Donnell when she first stood for Baw Baw Shire Council and he was told to "watch her with interest."
"In a world where people are disengaged with the main parties and are increasingly dissatisfied, for Labor to do well we can't just rely on the Labor badge.
"So if we want to be competitive we need the best possible candidate.
He said the electorate was looking for a candidate that was the real deal, not necessarily someone who knew everything about everything but a candidate who was trying their hardest and giving it their all.
"If one of your best assets in this campaign is your candidate, I encourage you to get them to know more about Jessica.
"There is a groundswell and people are looking for someone other than Scott Morrison," he said.