Gillard backers warn of ruin under Rudd

21 Feb 2012, 6:03 pm   -   Source: AAP
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Speculation is mounting there could be a leadership showdown between Mr Rudd and Ms Gillard as early as next week. (AAP)

Speculation is mounting there could be a leadership showdown between Mr Rudd and Ms Gillard as early as next week. (AAP)

Supporters of Prime Minister Julia Gillard have warned the government could fall if Kevin Rudd is returned as leader.

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Prime Minister Julia Gillard's supporters and an academic have warned the government could fall if Kevin Rudd is brought back as leader, as the standoff between the pair continues.

Ms Gillard is confident she has majority support in caucus, while Mr Rudd - who is overseas for foreign policy talks but will return on the weekend - says a challenge is not "in prospect".

Labor backbencher Bernie Ripoll on Tuesday renewed an attack on the Rudd camp, ahead of the resumption of parliament in Canberra next week when a caucus showdown is possible.

"It's completely gutless," Mr Rudd's former flatmate told ABC radio.

Mr Rudd's backers estimate he has around 30 votes in the 103-member caucus, against Ms Gillard on at least 50.

"What I would say, though, is somebody, anybody who is not a happy little Vegemite, they ought to go find something else to do," Mr Ripoll said, referring to a favoured phrase of Mr Rudd's.

"Those who are being disloyal and wrecking the party and wrecking any chance that we have at the next election should reconsider their position."

The only MP so far to directly announce their support for Mr Rudd is Corangamite MP Darren Cheeseman, who holds the most marginal Labor seat in the country.

Ms Gillard, who was visiting a school in Sydney on Tuesday, confirmed she had spoken to Mr Cheeseman on Monday but said the conversation was private.

"I am getting on with the job," she told reporters in response to questions about the leadership.

Human Services Minister Brendan O'Connor warned colleagues if Labor changes leader the government may not survive.

Mr O'Connor says while Mr Rudd, who was ousted as prime minister by Ms Gillard in June 2010, says there is no challenge, the foreign minister needs to "make further unequivocal statements and support the prime minister".

Backbencher Graham Perrett, who has threatened to quit if Mr Rudd returns, on Tuesday said he now regretted making the threat and would look at his "options" if there was a change.

However, Mr Perrett told The Courier-Mail newspaper it would be right for the caucus to "take a closer look" at Ms Gillard's performance in late August on the second anniversary of the election.

"That's a pretty good time to mark a leader's report card, not at the whim of every Newspoll," he said.

Greens leader Bob Brown says Ms Gillard need to assert her authority.

"That will be resolved next week I predict," he told ABC radio.

Fairfax Media reported some caucus members, led by Senator Gavin Marshall, were organising a petition to bring on a leadership spill as early as next week.

Senator Marshall did not return AAP's calls but a source close to Mr Rudd told AAP it did not have his personal endorsement.

A petition for a spill would need the support of one-third of caucus members - and could negate the need for Mr Rudd make a challenge himself.

But it wouldn't be needed if Ms Gillard herself allowed a ballot.

Meanwhile, Professor Donald Rothwell, of the Australian National University College of Law, said there would be constitutional questions if Mr Rudd returned as leader.

Assuming Mr Rudd won't immediately have new, signed deals with key crossbenchers - which the government needs to pass its bills - the coalition could bring on a potentially successful no confidence motion.

Mr Rudd could then be forced to advise the governor-general the parliament should be dissolved and an early election held.

"The governor-general may accept that advice, or choose to explore with Tony Abbott whether he could command the confidence of the house (and form a government)," Prof Rothwell said.

A spokeswoman for independent Bob Katter declined to comment on how he might vote on a no-confidence motion, saying he was not interested in "other parties' machinations".

Independent Rob Oakeshott said he would continue to ensure the government upheld its agreement with him.

"I'll deal with any scenario that presents itself, whenever it presents itself, and if it even presents itself at all," he told AAP.

Later, federal minister Kim Carr, who is believed to be a Rudd backer, declined to answer questions about whether he supported Ms Gillard.

"I'm not discussing any internal Labor Party matters so thank you for your questions," the senator told reporters.

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