A journalist who riled Julia Gillard and felt the sting of her tongue lashing during a press conference announcing a leadership ballot this morning has apologised to the PM over his conduct.

Ms Gillard berated pestering journalist Michael Owen – an Adelaide journalist for the Australian – after he repeatedly interrupted her as she tried to answer his questions.

"I'm not listening to rudeness," she told him as he repeatedly fired questions at her.

She then went to take a question from a different reporter, when Mr Owen continued to press her.

"If you stop talking then I can give you an answer, but I can't give you an answer if you don't stop talking," she told him.

Mr Owen continued asking his questions until she eventually snapped.

"I'm not going to have you speak to me like this, end of sentence, I'll answer your question and then take a question from your colleague,"

"Now it is your colleague's turn, don't be rude to him."

Later today The Australian reported online that Mr Owen had contacted the Prime Minister's office to apologise for the way he quizzed Ms Gillard.

The incident spawned the hashtag '#rudereporter' on Twitter, with some congratulating the Prime Minister on how she handled the incident.

It is understood Mr Owen called Ms Gillard’s office earlier on Thursday to apologise for his conduct, saying he never meant to disrespect the Prime Minister.

Ms Gillard has reportedly taken the rest of the day off, and has retreated back to her hotel at Glenelg, in Adelaide.

Rudd backers speak out

A key Kevin Rudd ally, federal minister Kim Carr, has accused Julia Gillard's camp of dirty tricks as senior ministers begin to speak out in favour of their former leader.

The Manufacturing Minister, who was demoted in a Cabinet reshuffle in December, says Mr Rudd is the victim of a "campaign of vilification" by senior members of the Government.

Senator Carr has indicated he has also been threatened with retribution for his support of the former prime minister.

"I'm not going to be intimidated," he told ABC Radio's The World Today.

"There's been all sorts of threats made, all sorts of suggestions as to what will happen to people that take a different view."

He implied he has already suffered at the hands of factional enemies.

"I've got scar tissue on my back a foot thick," he said.

"People can try their hardest. They did it throughout last year. They took some action in December.

"We're in the party games part of the campaign now. I expect that people will make all sorts of claims and counter-claims."

On the looming leadership battle, Senator Carr defended Mr Rudd's leadership style, saying he has changed his ways.

"We've all learned from the unhappy events of the last little while," he said.

"It's my opinion that the man has a great breadth of vision and a commitment to the future of this country that stands us in good stead.

"We saw in 2007 just how effective a campaigner he is, and we know that he has the capabilities to lead a strong government."

Ferguson declares

Senator Carr has been joined by Resources Minister Martin Ferguson and Immigration Minister Chris Bowen in his defence of Mr Rudd.

Both Cabinet ministers have pointed to his popularity with voters.

"There's no doubt there's a lot of support in the community for Mr Rudd," Chris Bowen told ABC News 24.

Mr Ferguson is backing the popular choice.

"Kevin Rudd is best placed to take on Tony Abbott and potentially best position us to win the next election," he said.

"It's on the basis of that assessment that I have declared my position today as I should."

Mr Bowen also rejected criticism of Mr Rudd's management style as prime minister, saying he had no problems with the way decisions were made.

"When I needed a decision made by the Cabinet or by the prime minister, it was made in an orderly and efficient way," he said.

"If I needed to see prime minister Rudd, I got to see him and to put my case to him for whatever policy decision needed to be dealt with."

Those backing Mr Rudd have all called for an end to the personal attacks and have urged all MPs to engage in a "civil" discussion about the future of the party.

More coverage:

• Rudd stands down, Swan launches broadside
• Rudd denies Clubs Australia pokie claims
• As it happened: Labor leadership in crisis
• Rudd resignation disappointing surprise: Gillard
• Full coverage of the leadership showdown