Rudd 'rude', Abbott 'lovely' to make-up artist

A make-up artist who allegedly worked on both Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says Mr Rudd was rude to her before last night’s People’s Forum in Brisbane.

Lily Fontana, a freelance make-up artist from Cannon Hill in Queensland took to Facebook last night to praise Mr Abbott, while saying Mr Rudd treated her poorly.

“Just finished doing Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott's make-up for the People's Forum at the Broncos Leagues Club”, she wrote on her Facebook page last night.

“One of them was absolutely lovely, engaged in genuine conversation with me, acknowledge [sic] that I had a job to do and was very appreciative.

“The other did the exact opposite! Oh boy, I have ever [sic] had anyone treat me so badly whilst trying to do my job.

“Political opinions aside...from one human being to another...Mr Abbott, you win hands down.

The comments quickly spread on social media, and Ms Fontana has now deleted the post.

"Didn't think my personal page/opinion of my day would get so much attention. What a lesson to learn", she said. "I've removed the post & regret making the comments I did."

Mr Rudd said he was 'in the zone' in the minutes before a big showdown with Mr Abbott.

“I think misunderstandings occur and I have no hard feelings," he said.

The incident will blunt attacks from Labor after Mr Abbott lost his cool during last night’s forum.

“Does this man ever shut up?” Mr Abbott asked after sustained questioning on his Paid Parental Leave scheme.

"I thought the most interesting point ... was the moment we saw Tony Abbott snap," Campaign spokeswoman Senator Penny Wong told ABC radio.

"(We got) a glimpse of the real Tony Abbott, who's a pretty aggro bloke."

Ms Fontana's website describes her as a Brisbane based, professional hair and make-up artist, who works in film, television and print.

Calls to Ms Fontana were not returned this morning, but Mr Abbott’s office has confirmed she was the make-up artist at last night’s forum.

If true, it wouldn’t be the first time Mr Rudd had been accused of being rude towards a female worker.

In 2009, Mr Rudd allegedly reduced an RAAF flight attendant to tears when he was told his chosen meal was unavailable on a flight to Canberra.

"As I recall it, there was a flight, I think from Port Moresby, and I had a discussion with, I think, one of the attendants on the provision of food. It didn't last very long and if anyone was offended by that, including the attendant concerned, of course, I apologise," Mr Rudd said at the time.

The PM was also accused in 2009 of throwing an ‘explosive wobbly’ when he couldn’t locate a hair dryer in Afghanistan.

Mr Rudd laughed off the claims as ‘ridiculous and untrue’.

At the height of leadership tensions between Mr Rudd and then-Prime Minister Julia Gillard in 2012, a video of Mr Rudd losing his temper was leaked on YouTube.

An investigation into the source of the leak was launched by the Australian Federal Police, but no official finding has been made.