Simon Crean has asked Julia Gillard to call a leadership spill and said he will not be standing as leader but will put up his hand as deputy leader.

PRIME Minister Julia Gillard has survived a party-room spill, re-elected as Labor leader unopposed.

Ms Gillard called the ballot after after Simon Crean publicly urged the PM to call a spill of all leadership positions.

Ms Gillard and her Deputy Wayne Swan were re-elected unopposed after no other MPs nominated for the position.

Mr Crean said this morning he was backing Kevin Rudd for Labor leader.

But the former PM this afternoon refused to challenge, saying he didn't have the numbers and was sticking to his promise that he would only make a return in the “overwhelming majority” of his colleagues backed him.

Mr Crean said this morning he was putting himself up as a deputy under Mr Rudd.

''We need to settle this and move forward," Mr Crean said.

''This is not personal decision. I am doing this for the interests of the Labor party and in turn the nation.''

Mr Crean was relegated to the backbench following his call for a leadership spill.

Leader of The House Anthony Albanese was answering questions on behalf of Mr Crean's regional Australia portfolio.

Mr Crean said in his press conference Labor could not win from its current position in the polls.

"I don't believe that can change simply by a change of leader," he said.

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''We need conviction.''

Mr Crean said Kevin Rudd had no choice but to put his hand up for the leadership of the party.

''I don't want any more games. I am sick to death of it, it is about time he has the courage of his convictions and stand up,'' he said.

Mr Crean said the conversation with Ms Gillard was not heated.

He said if Ms Gillard did not call for a spill the caucus needed to deal with the leadership issue ''expeditiously, decisively and conclusively''.

''Let's be mature about this,'' he said.

Mr Crean said if Mr Rudd challenged he would likely have the numbers.

''I wouldn't be doing this if I did not believe there was the mood and the need for change in the party,'' he said.

If made Deputy Prime Minister Mr Crean said he was not seeking the Treasury portfolio.

''I want to conclude the regional agenda,'' he said.

He said he had not spoken to Mr Rudd in the last 48 hours.

''It was important in arriving at this decision that I was convinced he was a changed Kevin,'' Mr Crean said.

''I believe it is important he is held to that.''

Mr Crean said that was the primary reason for him putting his hand up for the position of deputy.

Mr Crean said if any leadership challenge was unsuccessful he would stand down from the ministry.

He said he was not simply putting his hand up as deputy under Mr Rudd but under any future leader.

''I do not believe the position we find ourselves in is just to destabilisation,'' he said.

Mr Crean said he was not standing as leader because he knew he didn't have the numbers.

Asked on the consequences of a leadership change Mr Crean said it would be a matter for the independents.

''There is no point continuing on in a hung parliament in these circumstances,'' he said.

Simon Crean's call for a leadership spill sparked a wave of responses on social media. See how it unfolded