Foreign Affairs Minister Kevin Rudd has shrugged off claims he's an abrasive impulsive control freak.
The criticism of the former prime minister came to light when details of cables sent by the US embassy in Canberra to US secretaries of state Condoleeza Rice and Hillary Clinton were
published.
One leaked cable reads Mr Rudd's performance demonstrates that he doesn't have the staff or the experience to do the job properly.
The news of the WikiLeak cable criticising Mr Rudd came as he confirmed Australia is giving consular support to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who's in custody in Britain over alleged sexual assaults in Sweden.
The Sydney Morning Herald, which says it sourced the cables from WikiLeaks, says Mr Rudd was also described as a control freak with abrasive and impulsive tendencies.
'Water off a duck's back'
But Mr Rudd''s told Fairfax Radio Network the criticism is like water off a duck's back.
He's also told the Seven Network he doesn't give a damn, the important thing is to get on with his job.
Labor minister Simon Crean said the leaks criticising Mr Rudd wouldn't harm Australia's relationship with the US.
The cables were written by officials and it was the opinion of President Barack Obama and other US leaders that really mattered, he told ABC Radio.
"In the end it's the leadership that makes the decisions.
"You look at what President Obama has said about him (Mr Rudd), what Hillary Clinton has said about him, all his interlocutors, all of the people that matter - all of the decision makers have had an enormous regard for his prime ministership and his leadership on so many issue."
Mr Crean said the leaks were "unfortunate" but not damaging "at all".
"The relationship we've got with the United States is not just robust it has been significantly advanced over the past three years that we've been in office," he said.
