Former speaker Harry Jenkins has endorsed backbench rebels in Canberra who defy their party's leadership and speak out on issues.
In his first words in the House of Representatives since stepping down as speaker last year, the MP said it was ridiculous that backbenchers should have to publicly agree with their leadership. It was not the "end of the earth" if party members had different views, particularly in the present minority government, he said.
"That's got nothing to do with disunity," he said, adding that the Parliament should be a place of proper policy development and dialogue.
Mr Jenkins said that backbenchers had an important policy job to do in Canberra and should not just be concerned with electorate work.
Mr Jenkins's comments come a day after the Special Minister of State, Gary Gray, conceded there were leadership tensions within Labor.
Mr Gray said speculation surrounding the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard's, grasp on her job was a serious matter because it went to the "good governance of the country".
"Therefore it's silly of politicians to suggest that somehow the media makes this up. People talk to journalists. I do think it's important to keep that fact in perspective," he told Sky News.
Mr Gray said Labor had achieved "remarkable" success in pursuing a difficult agenda in tough circumstances.
"Having said that, it is clearly the case that there are tensions," he said.
"But it is clearly also the case that we'll manage those, manage our government and manage our Parliament in the best interests of all Australians."
The Treasurer, Wayne Swan, said last night that commentary on the leadership tensions were a beat-up confected by the media.
"I have taken [Foreign Affairs Minister] Kevin Rudd at his word. He says he's not interested in doing it, he says he's not involved. That's it," he told the ABC's 7.30 program.
Mr Jenkins's comments in support of backbenchers came as he responded this morning to amendments to the house standing orders.
This morning leader of the house Anthony Albanese successfully passed a motion to limit questions in question time to 30 seconds as National MP Paul Neville called for the introduction of one unscripted question time each week.
Yesterday, new Speaker Peter Slipper signalled changes to the working of the house, including reducing time limits in question time, boosting opportunities for supplementary questions, renaming the Main Committee the Federation Chamber and getting rid of warnings before disorderly members are sent packing.
Mr Jenkins gave his support to Mr Slipper's planned changes. He even went so far as to congratulate Mr Slipper for managing to get some of the changes through.
"If we look at the Federation Chamber, it took a long time, I congratulate you in getting that over the line," Mr Jenkins said.
Mr Jenkins also said he hoped that in time, the House would implement supplementary questions in true Westminster tradition, where the questioner could keep going until the topic was exhausted.
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