Bill Shorten says he should have spent more time promoting women in the union movement when he was a union boss.
He also says Malcolm Turnbull is "vacuous", but has done a good job handling Donald Trump.
In an interview with GQ magazine released on Wednesday, Mr Shorten talked about his desire to run a marathon, and gives his take on the #metoo movement.
"I wish I had my time in the union again, in terms of promoting more women. I'm a big supporter of 50/50 in the ALP," he told GQ.
"In hindsight, when I had the chance, I should have promoted more women.
"I should have spent more time educating blokes about casual sexism or unthinking behaviour.
"The best thing I can do now is put as many women as possible in positions of power."
Mr Shorten said he was sure Mr Turnbull was "not a bad person" and was perfectly civilised on a personal level, but the prime minister had his faults.
"The guy is vacuous. Great guy to have a dinner party with - though he'd do most of the talking - but just vacuous," he said.
But he did praise the prime minister's handling of Australia's relationship with President Trump, which he says was "not easy".
The Labor leader said he would like to find time to run a marathon, and he doesn't regret "dabbing" in public, even though his daughter hated it.
