Speculation about Prime Minister Julia Gillard's leadership threatens to overshadow tomorrow's special meeting of Labor MPs in Canberra, with one Kevin Rudd backer saying the issue had already reached ''tipping point''.
Ms Gillard conceded yesterday that the leadership ''chatter'' was distracting voters, but said she was not concerned about speculation her Foreign Minister, Mr Rudd, was eyeing a return to the top job after the Queensland state elections called for next month.
Senior Gillard supporters are confident they can restrict discussion about the Prime Minister's leadership when MPs gather in Canberra for the special strategy session but there appears to be widespread resignation within the caucus that the Government's flat-lining in the polls over summer will continue to breed leadership speculation.
The Rudd supporter suggested to the The Canberra Times that the issue was unavoidable.
''I'm not sure what or when it is going to happen, but something has to,'' the MP said.
However MPs hope the situation will calm when Ms Gillard uses Question Time next week to attack Tony Abbott's economic credentials.
Mr Rudd's backers suggest that his support in caucus is growing and that a challenge could occur after the Queensland election.
Ms Gillard dismissed the leadership speculation as she called on her team to focus on the Government's mission.
''I don't worry about chatter in the media, I get on with the job,'' she said.
''I think we've got to be very focused.
''What do people want governments to do? Talk about themselves or deliver results?
''I am crystal clear on what the Government's agenda is for 2012.
''I work with a caucus team and they're a good team and of course, like many workplaces, would have planning sessions at the start of the calendar year, we are going to have one.''
Senior government figures said tomorrow's special meeting of caucus would not feature a full-blown session on polling but did not rule out Ms Gillard directly addressing the leadership speculation.
Any heavy-handed move to curtail discussion could produce a backlash but MPs will be told a broader discussion could occur at Monday's regular caucus meeting or when ALP national secretary George Wright briefs MPs about the electorate's mood on current issues.
The next Fairfax-Nielsen poll will be published on Monday as caucus meets to debate legislation, the day before Parliament resumes.
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