Former prime minister Julia Gillard has weighed into the leadership crisis engulfing the federal coalition, saying she doesn't blame Australians if they want to move to New Zealand.
Ms Gillard - whose ousting of then-prime minister Kevin Rudd in 2010 was the beginning of a wave of leadership spills - on Thursday told RMIT University students in Melbourne it was better "not to have people harping from the sidelines".
But when asked about the leadership tussle between embattled Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and former home affairs minister Peter Dutton, she said she could "understand why people would want to go and live in New Zealand given the leadership of the current prime minister."
Prime Minister Julia Gillard after a leadership ballot in 2013. Source: AAP
Mr Turnbull says he will not stand for the Liberal leadership if a second spill motion goes ahead on Friday, three days after he defeated his challenger 48-35.
Meanwhile, the Liberals are seeking advice from the solicitor-general over reports Mr Dutton could be in breach of the constitution over his stake in two Brisbane child care centres through a family trust.
Ms Gillard, who was knifed by Mr Rudd in 2013, said the "new normal" of leadership crises was part of a global broader fracturing, particularly of the political right.
Addressing the ongoing debate around energy and climate policy, the former prime minister said "everything about this current tempo of politics" indicated Australia would need to return to a carbon price or similar scheme.
Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd during happier times. Source: AAP
Ms Gillard also took a swipe at people who were in politics "for the applause".
"You know, Hollywood for ugly people."
She declined to comment on the looming federal election and said her only advice for Mr Dutton and other challengers was to "drink a lot of water" and "make sure you eat some veggies and get some sunlight".
