KEVIN RUDD has hit back at accusations by colleagues he is not a team player as close supporters of Julia Gillard concede her grip on the prime ministership is slipping.

One factional boss, who is loyal to Ms Gillard, said yesterday: ''There's been quite a shift over summer'' and ''she's in trouble''.

"I play my own part and will continue to do so" ... Kevin Rudd. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

As Ms Gillard forged ahead with her economic agenda by announcing an overhaul of vocational education to boost Australia's skills base, Mr Rudd hit the state election campaign trail in his native Queensland.

On Tuesday, Mr Rudd's cabinet colleague, Simon Crean, labelled him a prima donna and told him to drop his ambition to return to the leadership.