Rudd is an honourable man: Swan

AAP

TREASURER Wayne Swan has described former prime minister Kevin Rudd as an honourable man in the aftermath of a damaging leak against his successor Julia Gillard.

Mr Rudd released a statement on Wednesday denying he was the source of a story alleging Ms Gillard spoke out in cabinet against parental leave and a pension increase when she was deputy prime minister.

Asked if Mr Rudd was an honourable person in the affair, Mr Swan, who is now deputy prime minister, endorsed his fellow Queensland colleague.

"I do believe that he's an honourable person," he told ABC Television on Wednesday.

"I do believe that he is doing everything that he possibly can to see the return of the government, including campaigning in his local electorate."

Mr Swan said he had given up speculating on the source of the leaks.

"I don't buy conspiracy theories," he said.

"I believe Kevin is well motivated and I also believe he's an important part of our team."

Mr Swan said it was unsurprising the media was focusing on Mr Rudd during the campaign, in light of his dumping as leader in June.

"Leadership changes are always difficult for political parties," he said.

He also acknowledged that speculation about the leaks could be putting a dent in Labor's campaign.

"It may but there's nothing we can do about the speculation."

Ms Gillard used a media conference on Wednesday to address assertions in a Nine Network story that she spoke out against Labor's 18-week paid parental leave scheme and queried a pension rise.

The prime minister said she asked questions about the combined $50 billion in measures during the next decade but denied she had misgivings about elderly voters not supporting Labor.