Retiring Labor Senator Trish Crossin says Kevin Rudd is a popular leader who would give the government its best chance of re-election.
The Northern Territory senator lost her number one position on Labor’s Senate ticket in January when the ALP’s national executive endorsed Olympian and indigenous advocate, Nova Peris.
Crossin said voters were not listening to the Gillard government.
“I have been a supporter of Kevin for a number of years now,” she told the ABC on Tuesday.
“I may not have disclosed how I intended to vote last year but I do think that he’s a very popular leader.
“I think he always has been.”
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Crossin said she believed Rudd would never again challenge for the leadership but would make himself available if Gillard stood down as leader.
Gillard this morning described rumour-mongering over her leadership as “waste of breath”, insisting she is still the best person to take Labor to the September 14 election.
Asked how confident she was of remaining Labor leader Gillard told reporters in Brisbane: “Completely.”
The Prime Minister said she could not envisage any circumstances that would change that position.
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.
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“Yes there’s rumour mongering and speculation but it’s a waste of breath,” Gillard said.
The Labor leader confirmed she had not discussed the matter with cabinet minister Bill Shorten on whose support 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 Gillard’s closest allies, dismissed suggestions Labor’s fortunes would turn with the return of 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 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.
