Distractions continue to haunt the federal government as the ruling Australian Labor Party struggles to address the nagging leadership speculations that threatens to end the barely two-year rule of Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

While for the most part sidestepping the political issues that she admits shakes up her governance, Ms Gillard insisted that her job in leading the nation will not be lost in the Labor infighting and along with that the looming possibility of new Labor leadership by next week.

"My focus is on getting on with the things that are vital for our nation," Ms Gillard was reported by The Australian as saying while in Adelaide.

The Prime Minister added that she's more concerned on dealing with pressing national issues such as the improvement of the country's educational system.

This amidst media reports that have been leaning to the likelihood that Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd will soon mount a challenge and reclaim his original job that he lost to Ms Gillard, with camps of the two contending leaders ramping up their efforts to gain the upperhand.

Supporters of Ms Gillard have called on the Prime Minister to jump the gun on Rudd and kick him out of the cabinet but others are more subdued, simply asking the former Prime Minister to declare his unequivocal support for the government.

And as mudsling flies, the Labor faction campaigning to shore up Rudd's return agenda claimed that the leadership in the ALP will take place soon.

"There is inevitability about this. Nature will take its course here," The Australian quoted a Rudd insider as saying.

The same source told the publication that Ms Gillard was not really focused on managing the country, accusing that her energy is spent mustering support to thwart the impending challenge coming from Rudd, who will return from his overseas trips on Sunday.

"They are out there monstering undecided caucus members," the Rudd supporter told The Australian.

The accusations came out as prominent Labor leader, Senator Doug Cameron, called on party members to refrain on their virulent attacks on Rudd, who he noted as a former Prime Minister deserves respect.

In an interview with ABC Radio, Cameron reminded his party mates that Rudd was performing well in representing the country before the international community.

"Mr Rudd had a lot of support in terms of him doing his job and doing it effectively. The gratuitous attacks should stop," Cameron said.

Some senior Labor members, however, saw it fit that Rudd must be eased out of the government if only to buy peace for the embattled government.

That includes senior minister Simon Crean, who lately has been emerging as a third force for ALP in the event of a shake-up that will overlook both Ms Gillard and Rudd.

On Wednesday, however, Crean insisted that his political plans do not include vying for the country's top post but he stopped short at categorically declaring that he would turn down any offers to head the ALP.