Prime Minister Julia Gillard says Kevin Rudd is doing a good job as foreign minister and has refused to publicly back the assessment he's not a team player.
The latest poor polling numbers for Ms Gillard has rekindled speculation Mr Rudd might mount a leadership comeback.
But frontbencher Simon Crean on Tuesday said Mr Rudd could not mount a challenge because he did not have the numbers, and suggested part of the reason he lost the top job was that he was not a team player.
Ms Gillard later refused to endorse Mr Crean's assessment. "Kevin Rudd is doing a great job as minister for foreign affairs," Ms Gillard told reporters in Sydney.
"It's very important for a nation our size that we do have our voice heard around the world. "Kevin Rudd as foreign affairs minister is doing a good job in making sure our voice is heard."
Asked about the poll results, Ms Gillard dodged the question, saying she was focused on the economy. "They're the kind of numbers I'm focused on."
