One of Kevin Rudd's closest supporters denies the returned prime minister continually undermined Julia Gillard and the then Labor regime over the past three years.
Chris Bowen, who was treasurer under Mr Rudd's second prime ministership and is now acting Labor leader, says Mr Rudd always behaved professionally and in the party's best interests.
Ms Gillard broke her silence on Monday night in a public interview with feminist author Anne Summers at the Sydney Opera House.
She said the circumstances of her taking the top job from Mr Rudd in 2010 were different from his return because she asked him for a legitimate leadership ballot.
"To do things continuously that undermine the Labor party and the Labor government, then of course that shouldn't be done by anyone," she said.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"The key difference is every day I was deputy PM I spent all of my time doing everything I could to have the Labor government prosper."
Mr Bowen, who didn't watch the interview, said it wasn't true to say Mr Rudd had continually undermined the party.
"Kevin Rudd behaved professionally and in the best interests of the Labor Party at all times in my experience," he told reporters in Fairfield on Tuesday.
"He could have declined the offer to return to the prime ministership but he didn't because he felt it was in the best interests of the Labor Party that he be available.
"The Labor Party owes him a debt of gratitude."
Ms Gillard had much to be proud of from her time as prime minister, Mr Bowen said.
