Treasurer Chris Bowen says the circumstances behind the return of Kevin Rudd are unique and don't conflict with planned reforms to the way Labor selects its parliamentary leader.
Prime Minister Rudd has proposed the leader be jointly elected by federal Labor MPs and grassroots party members, with each group having 50 per cent of the vote.
It would make it virtually impossible for caucus to remove a leader, as happened in 2010 when Mr Rudd was replaced as prime minister by Julia Gillard, because it would require 75 per cent to back a spill.
Mr Bowen was on Thursday asked how he squared his role in supporting Mr Rudd's return and his backing for the reform.
"The circumstances which led to the successful return to Kevin were frankly pretty unique," he told the National Press Club in Canberra.
"They are circumstances which go to his departure from the prime ministership in 2010 and the pretty strong view expressed by the Australian people that there was a case for his return.
"I do recognise this is a challenge for the caucus in terms of ensuring that a leader is more difficult to remove.
"That's a legitimate point to make, but I also think that the circumstances in which our leaders should be removed are pretty rare and unusual."
The reform will be considered at a special caucus meeting in Sydney next week.
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