Yeah, that was my first impression too. Preparation for a leadership move.
From the party's point of view though, Keneally has solved a preselection problem for the Senate. She was battling fellow Right-faction member Deb O'Neill for top spot. The Left faction had second spot on the Labor ticket, so if she lost she may have not been elected as a third Labor NSW senator.
So it's a smart move. She gets a safe seat. The NSW Right is thankful to her, and owes her a favour. Keneally then gets to face the LNP leaders across the chamber in the Lower House as an attack dog. If Labor wins, she is a senior minister with eventual leadership ambitions. If Labor loses, she has the chance to make a play for the leadership earlier.
In any case, Keneally is a good parliamentary performer, and this is a very good political play on her part.
