Rudd on world stage grates with coalition

A senior cabinet minister has warned that the idea of Kevin Rudd overshadowing Australia on the world stage grates with coalition MPs.

A senior cabinet minister has laughed off Kevin Rudd's bid to become the UN secretary general. (AAP)

A senior cabinet minister has laughed off Kevin Rudd's bid to become the United Nations secretary general.

Asked if the federal government would support the former prime minister's nomination, Arthur Sinodinos said it was funny that in 2016 "we're still talking about Kevin".

"The politics of that era are still pretty raw and the idea that he could be on the world stage seeking to overshadow Australia in other ways does grate with some of my colleagues," the cabinet secretary told ABC TV.