Labor's despondency ... backbenchers say there is some talk again of a Kevin Rudd comeback.

Labor's despondency ... backbenchers say there is some talk again of a Kevin Rudd comeback. Photo: Andrew Meares

Labor backbenchers are again being sounded out about the possibility of a Kevin Rudd comeback, while their apparent drop in public appearances suggests a new level of government despondency.

Some MPs who have to date supported Prime Minister Julia Gillard are noticing what they describe as a ''soft push'' from her predecessor's camp.

They say Mr Rudd himself is keeping away from the talk, but there has been a ''gentle shift'' towards him in the face of poor polling results for the government and the scandals surrounding Craig Thomson and Peter Slipper. Some of the talk is actually starting with ministers, according to the backbenchers.

It comes as Labor MPs have become noticeable no-shows at a number of functions that would normally have attracted them.

Backbenchers who have this week spoken to The Canberra Times say the mood among them is that unless they are directed to attend events, many of them simply aren't turning up.

''There is a feeling of 'What's the point?' and so some events are probably not as well attended at the moment,'' one MP said.

''But you have to remember too that most of us are spending as much time as possible in our electorates trying to shore up our own re-elections. Functions outside of the electorate aren't the priority right now.'' Another backbencher said even electorate functions were being selectively attended because of public abuse being hurled at government MPs.

Business luncheons and dinners that usually draw good numbers from each side of politics are becoming noted for the lack of Labor attendees. Some corporate lobbyists are saying it is becoming harder to get ministers to accept speaking invitations.

Shadow ministers are being asked to speak at functions more frequently.

''I've given up and I'm focusing on the next lot,'' one lobbyist told The Canberra Times yesterday. Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop spoke at a morning session of last week's Australia Papua New Guinea Business Forum in Brisbane because Foreign Minister Bob Carr was unable to attend. ''I was delighted to receive an invitation to speak but I was shocked to discover that the federal government had failed to send a representative and that I was to speak on an international platform on behalf of Australia,'' Ms Bishop said.

Parliamentary secretary Richard Marles, however, addressed a later dinner function of the forum after being dispatched to represent the government.

Ms Bishop said she was just as stunned a few weeks earlier when she found herself being the only Australian federal politician at a public business dinner in Sydney where the guest speaker was New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister Bill English. ''We have other priorities than those kinds of events right now,'' a government MP said.

There is one exception, however, and that is when Mr Rudd is there.

''He's got a bit of a fan club and it's growing again,'' one Labor MP said. ''You just have to look at the events where he is at and you can see backbenchers and ministers sidling up to him.''

Ms Gillard's attendance at functions does not seem to be having the same effect. She returned to Australia yesterday after attending a NATO summit in Chicago.

But even before she left, MPs were again contemplating their future under her leadership. ''Some don't want to be seen too much with Julia right now - which I think is unfair,'' one said. ''She is doing a good job and she is tough in the face of all of this. But her electoral appeal isn't good and some of the caucus are aware of that.''