19 Jun 2013

ALP leadership speculation expected to persist

8:07 am on 19 June 2013

Speculation over who will lead Labor to the federal election in Australia on 14 September is expected to continue on Wednesday.

At Labor's caucus meeting on Tuesday, Prime Minister Julia Gillard called for her colleagues to put purpose before self interest.

AAP reports Ms Gillard did not mention the leadership issue, and apparently no-one asked her about it directly, as she called for everyone to "focus on the nation, not ourselves".

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott also warned his team to maintain discipline in the 88 days before the poll.

Voters "do not elect a new government lightly," he told a meeting of the joint parties, even if they are sick of the "rabble and the circus" of the Labor government.