The federal government is playing up tension between Labor leader Bill Shorten and Anthony Albanese ahead of five by-elections.
Mr Albanese delivered the Whitlam Oration on Friday night,l in which he set out an agenda for reforming the ALP and broadening the party's appeal to non-unionists and the business sector.
"Labor doesn't have to agree with business on issues such as company tax rates, but we do have to engage constructively with business large and small," he said.
Liberal frontbencher Christopher Pyne said Mr Albanese had directly contradicted Mr Shorten's "war with business" approach and placement of unions at the centre of public policy.
The cabinet minister, who regularly makes media appearances with Mr Albanese, said Mr Shorten's leadership had failed.
Senior Labor frontbencher Jim Chalmers doesn't believe his colleague Anthony Albanese is saying anything different from other Labor MPs when he talks about having a better engagement with business.
"A big part of my own role is engaging with business, I spend and a very big proportion of my time getting business perspectives, sharing ideas, spending time in the business community. That's true as well of Bill Shorten, Chris Bowen, right across the board," Dr Chalmers told Sky News on Sunday.
Labor is contesting five by-elections on July 28, aiming to retain the seats of Braddon, Fremantle, Perth and Longman and pick up Mayo in South Australia.
The government's parliamentary win on personal income tax cuts could give Liberal candidates a popularity boost.
There has been speculation if Labor loses one or two seats there could be pressure on Mr Shorten's leadership.
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