Acting Prime Minister Warren Truss says Julia Gillard is entitled to her views, after she reflected on the sexist attacks she endured in the nation's top job.
Sexism was a key theme of Ms Gillard's first major public appearance since she was ousted by Kevin Rudd in June.
She used an address at the Sydney Opera House on Monday night to take a swipe at Mr Rudd but also spoke of her famous misogyny speech directed at Tony Abbott when he was still in opposition.
She spoke of suffering sexist abuse from all quarters and of being regularly abused in parliament by members of the then opposition, notably Christopher Pyne.
Mr Truss says Ms Gillard is entitled to her own opinions as a private citizen.
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"That was an occasion to Julia Gillard to reminisce on the past, in some cases to rewrite history like other Labor prime ministers have done after they've retired," he told reporters in Brisbane on Tuesday.
"I think she's entitled to be honoured as a former prime minister. She's entitled to put her perspective on the events that occurred when she was the prime minister, and leading up to it and thereafter.
"But I think that's a matter for her, for the Labor party and I'd just encourage Australians to let her get on with the rest of her life."
