Hockey reckons Rudd wouldn't leak

Joe Hockey

AAP

SHADOW treasurer Joe Hockey says he would be very surprised if Kevin Rudd is the source of a leak in the "dysfunctional" Labor government.

"I know Kevin Rudd," Mr Hockey told journalists in Adelaide on Thursday.

"I'd be surprised if Kevin Rudd was the source of the leak, I'd be very surprised."

Ms Gillard went into damage control on Wednesday after the Nine Network revealed she spoke out in cabinet against paid parental leave and a pension rise when she was Kevin Rudd's deputy.

Mr Rudd has issued a statement denying he is the source.

Mr Hockey reckons it is "someone else who is deeply unhappy".

He said the Labor Party was deeply dysfunctional.

"If they can't be united in the middle of an election campaign, how are they going to face major economic and social challenges?"