By Lisa Martin From: AAP
June 11, 2013 10:27AM
PRIME Minister Julia Gillard has dismissed as a "waste of breath" rumour-mongering about her leadership, insisting she is still the best person to take Labor to the September 14 election.
Asked how confident she was of remaining Labor leader Ms Gillard told reporters in Brisbane on Tuesday: "Completely."
The prime minister said she could not envisage any circumstances that would change that position.
Ms Gillard was responding to a renewed bout of leadership speculation inside federal Labor as pressure mounts on her to give way to Kevin Rudd ahead of the election.
A campaigning blitz by Rudd in marginal seats has added fuel to the fire.
"Yes there's rumour mongering and speculation but it's a waste of breath," Ms Gillard said.
The Labor leader confirmed she had not discussed the matter with cabinet minister Bill Shorten on whose support Ms Gillard relies.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says Australians are sick of the Labor soap opera.
"Enough is enough," he told reporters on the Gold Coast, adding government MPs were stabbing the prime minister in the back "metaphorically".
Cabinet minister Craig Emerson, one of Ms Gillard's closest allies, dismissed suggestions Labor's fortunes would turn with the return of Mr Rudd.
"We should not be going through revolving doors, going forward and back and forward and back," he said.
The renewed "internal chatter" did not translate into anything."
Roads Minister Anthony Albanese, a key Rudd supporter, said the Labor Party had already made its decision on a leader.
"Kevin Rudd also has made it very clear that he won't be challenging for the leadership, the prime minister has made it clear that she's determined to lead Labor to the next election."
Australian Workers Union secretary Paul Howes, who has previously attacked those disloyal to Ms Gillard, said the "whispering" going on behind closed doors wasn't doing Labor any favours.
"What's important at the moment is to get back onto the job of taking the task up to Tony Abbott," he said.
Liberal frontbencher George Brandis said the government was deadlocked and ridden by the most intense hatred imaginable."
"It's all very well for (Ms Gillard) to say she's not going anywhere, the problem is the country isn't going anywhere," he said.
Assistant treasurer David Bradbury wouldn't rule out enlisting Mr Rudd's support for his local campaign as many of his colleagues have done.
But he said he would ask "key figures within the party" to help in his bid to retain his seat.
"You can expect a steady flow of senior Labor figures to come into the electorate between now and the election."
Mr Bradbury admitted he hadn't come good on an earlier promise to tattoo his support for Ms Gillard on his skin, saying his wife hadn't given him permission.
EmoticonEmoticon