Mr Bradbury was with Prime Minister Julia Gillard at Our Lady of Rosary Primary school in St Marys to promote findings in the Gonski review of education funding.

But in a reflection of how distracting internal battles have become for Labor, focus soon turned to speculation about an imminent leadership ballot between Ms Gillard and Kevin Rudd.

Flanked by Ms Gillard, Mr Bradbury told journalists he was ‘‘one of the strongest supporters of the Prime Minister’’.

‘‘I have seen my name on some lists as being undecided,’’ Mr Bradbury said of an article in a weekend newspaper listing who Labor MPs would support for leadership.

‘‘Not one journalist has asked me for my view. I support the Prime Minister; she is doing a great job in difficult circumstances.’’

Short of ‘‘getting a tattoo’’, Mr Bradbury said he was not sure what else he could do to show his support for Ms Gillard.