Prime Minister contender Kevin Rudd would be viewed dimly if he caused a by-election, Defence Minister Stephen Smith says.
Mr Smith told reporters in Perth the Labor leadership needs to be "settled with finality" when caucus votes in Canberra on Monday.
He urged all members of the party to get behind the prime minister.
It was a matter for Mr Rudd whether he stayed in parliament, Mr Smith said.
"Anyone who caused a by-election during a minority government would be viewed dimly," he said, adding that he doubted Mr Rudd would quit parliament.
He said both sides of politics had "sharp exchanges of views" during leadership tensions.
Mr Smith moved to reassure voters, who felt overwhelmed by the "in your face" nature of the leadership drama.
"We've got two 24-hour TV news stations - everyone's out there putting their views," he said.
Mr Smith said he strongly supported Prime Minister Julia Gillard. He said the reasons for dumping Mr Rudd in 2010 were still relevant.
"If you want to summarise it in one sentence: it was because members of the caucus and cabinet came to the conclusion if you were trying work through difficult issues, you could not work those through effectively with Kevin Rudd," he said.
Mr Smith is not contemplating whether to serve in a hypothetical Rudd Ministry.
Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare also declared his support for Ms Gillard.
"There's an old saying division is death.
That's why it's important this is the final decision on leadership," Mr Clare said, adding that if it drags on it will hurt Labor for a generation.
