Kevin Rudd 'believes' he won't lead Labor

KEVIN Rudd doesn't ''believe there are any circumstances'' under which he would replace Julia Gillard as PM, amid reports Bill Shorten is now on his side.

Rudd ?believes? he won?t lead Labor

KEVIN Rudd has bought himself some wriggle room on the leadership issue, changing his language from a definitive never again to leaving the door open to returning to the nation's top job.

As MPs head back to their electorates for the last time before they break for the September 14 election, Mr Rudd this morning slightly changed his stance on the Labor leadership issue.

This morning he said of a change in leadership: "I don't believe there are any circumstances in which that will occur".

But in March following a failed leadership showdown Mr Rudd said: "There are no circumstances under which I will return to the leadership of the Australian Labor Party in the future".

Use of the word "believe" in today's statement seems to indicate if events were to change the former prime minister could be open to returning to his old job.

Mr Rudd also hosed down speculation that Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten had contacted him offering his support for a leadership spill, saying he has not received a telephone call from the potential kingmaker.

Opposition frontbencher Joe Hockey this morning accused Mr Rudd of "weasel words"

"It's a circus - this is groundhog day," Mr Hockey told the Seven Network's Sunrise program.

"He said previously there are no circumstances, now he says I believe there are no circumstances."

Reports today seemed to indicate that powerbroker Bill Shorten had been shut-out by Julia Gillard as he considers his position on the labor leadership.

It was understood that Mr Shorten, who was key to installing Ms Gillard in the top job, was contemplating switching his support to Mr Rudd.

This morning, Mr Shorten said he continued to work well with the Prime Minister and she had his support.

"I have always had and continue to have a strong working relationship with the Prime Minister," a statement from Mr Shorten read.

"I have a great deal of respect for the Prime Minister and continue to support her."

But asked repeatedly if he could guarantee Ms Gillard would be Labor leader through to the September election Mr Shorten avoided the question.

He conceded there was concern about the performance of the Labor party.

"I do support this Prime Minister... I continue to support our Prime Minister full stop," Mr Shorten told 3AW's Neil Mitchell.

"I haven't spoken to Kevin Rudd about the leadership."

Cabinet minister Anthony Albanese this morning denied any moves were being made on the Labor leadership issue.

He said Julia Gillard would lead the party to the next election despite backing Kevin Rudd in the last challenge.

"There is no challenge, there's nothing happening," Mr Albanese told the Nine Network's Today program.

Bill Shorten surrounded by media at Canberra airport yesterday.

The Australian today reports Bill Shorten has been cut out of Julia Gillard's inner circle and strategic decision-making team as pressure mounts on him to resolve Labor's leadership impasse.

The PM has not sought the Workplace Relations and Employment Minister's advice in recent weeks because of fears that he may have ``switched sides'' and can no longer be trusted.

Sources close to Mr Shorten, who has been a strong supporter of Ms Gillard, have confirmed that he is "bemused" by some of the strategic decisions that the PM has been making recently, including trying to elevate the issue of abortion to the national debate.

``She isn't getting advice from the right people," a source close to Mr Shorten said.

Labor's national president Tony Sheldon today insisted there will be no challenge to Julia Gillard's leadership, suggesting ''powerful forces'' with influence are going after the Prime Minister.

``At the moment if ever there was a change in the leadership - which there will not be - we should get behind the Gillard government.''

Mr Sheldon suggested ''very powerful forces'' with influence, including the business community, would go after any Labor leader.

``They want to see an Abbott government. They want to see workers' rights dispelled,'' he said.

``They are determined to do whatever they can.''

Also in The Australian, ex-Labor heavyweight Graham Richardson said it's time caucus members got over the hatred of Kevin Rudd.

``The hatred of so many caucus members for Rudd is still so great that they would rather the party be slaughtered and lose their own seats than contemplate his return from the wilderness,'' Richardson writes.

Meanwhile, Tony Abbott will outline his vision for northern Australia today but the Coalition has already been forced to deny it's engaged in a waffly bid to win votes.

Mr Abbott will use a visit to Townsville to promise a white paper on the north's development within 12 months, if the Coalition is elected at the September 14 election.

It's expected to paint a vision to develop the north as a hub for food production, energy exports and tourism.

- with AAP

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