Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has waved off criticism from Reserve Bank board member and Fairfax Media chairman Roger Corbett that he has done enormous damage to the Labor party.
"It's a matter for Mr Corbett. It's a free country, anyone can say what they like," Mr Rudd told the Nine Network on Wednesday.
"I notice Mr Corbett has probably done okay in business in recent years, good on him because I'm on about his business succeeding in order to generate jobs for all Australians."
Mr Corbett, who is a former CEO of Woolworths, on Tuesday night said Labor made a mistake in switching leaders so late in the election cycle and Mr Rudd's conduct after he was dumped in 2010 had discredited his own leadership.
"He's a man that really has done the Labor party enormous damage, destabilised it and is now wishing to present himself to the Australian people as a prime minister," Mr Corbett told ABC TV on Tuesday.
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.
"I don't think the Australian people will cop that."
All the opinion polls are pointing to a decisive coalition victory in Saturday's election.
Mr Corbett says if that comes to pass, Tony Abbott will make a good prime minister.
"He's a very sincere, nice type of human being ... he'll be very dedicated, focused in the job," he said.
"We certainly need, in the economic times we are about to go into, some really clear and good leadership."
