Former Labor leader Mark Latham says Bill Shorten needs to do more to take on the entrenched power of the ALP's factions.

Mr Latham says the Opposition Leader is ''asking the right questions'' on party reform but that more needs to be done.

'The starting point is to make the debate more dinkum': Mark Latham. Credit:Wayne Hawkins

In a new book to be published on Tuesday, The Political Bubble, Mr Latham argues politics is ''overgrown'', characterised by chronic exaggeration and that politicians are increasingly powerless to control economic events.

The former leader turned Australian Financial Review columnist has also criticised NSW Labor for opposing the sale of electricity poles and wires, a $20 billion plan that Premier Mike Baird will take to the next state election but which NSW Labor leader John Robertson has vowed to oppose.