Foreign Minister Bob Carr has dismissed as a “non-story” reports that Labor whip Joel Fitzgibbon has switched his support from Julia Gillard to Kevin Rudd.
Fairfax and News Limited papers say Mr Fitzgibbon is openly canvassing for votes to return Mr Rudd as prime minister.
But Senator Carr denied a leadership challenge was on the cards.
“I don’t think you can inflate a leadership challenge out of the news we’re looking at this weekend,” he told the Ten Network on Sunday.
“I don’t want to dignify it with the attention it doesn’t deserve.”
Ms Gillard will lead Labor to its next general election, Senator Carr said.
“She is the one leadership choice, the one leadership option.
“She is the leader (and) she will stay the leader.”
People outside the Labor caucus were working hard to elevate the issue, Mr Carr said.
“But I’ve seen no evidence of anyone departing from the view that Julia Gillard is the person best placed to lead this government.”
Senator Carr said he would not be putting his hand up for the leadership.
“I support Julia Gillard,” he said.
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