Luke Foley has been elected unopposed as leader of the New South Wales Labor Party after the resignation of former opposition leader John Robertson last month.

Mr Foley, 44, was elected unopposed by fellow caucus members on Monday morning following the withdrawal of Michael Delaney and Steve Whan as leadership contenders.

• Robertson steps down as NSW Opposition Leader
• Robertson signed Monis letter

Speaking after his election, Mr Foley said the Labor Party he leads would be one of “solutions and never a mere party of protest”.

“I bring to this job ideas, energy, and above all, my Labor values,” Mr Foley said.

“Those values are timeless; a fair go for all, a decent life for everyone, and a helping hand to those who need it most”.

Linda Burnie will continue to serve as Deputy Labor Leader.

The father of three has been a member of the New South Wales legislative council since 2010, serving as the Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change, the Shadow Minister for Water, and the Shadow Minister for Energy.

As a member of the upper house, Mr Foley will need to win a seat in the legislative assembly ahead of the March election, with speculation he will be parachuted into Auburn, according to an ABC report.

After learning he had a clear run for the leadership, Mr Foley said he would “not accept a parachute” into a lower house seat, instead running for pre-selection against Auburn Labor MP Barbara Perry.

Former Labor leader John Robertson resigned in December after it was revealed he signed a letter granting Sydney siege gunman Man Haron Monis child visitation rights in 2011.

Who is Luke Foley?

• Luke Foley lives in Concord West with his wife, Edel, and their three children, Aoife, Niamh and Patrick.
• He and his twin sister Brigid were raised by their single mother, who he says taught him Labor values.
• He joined the Labor Party in 1988 and was assistant general secretary of the party’s NSW branch from 2003 to 2010.
• He is a committed Roman Catholic, and is openly opposed to same-sex marriage.
• According to his personal website he is a “keen cricketer”.