Kevin Rudd has used a St Patrick's Day speech to joke about political backstabbing and challenges.

In a video of his address at a Queensland function posted on YouTube, Mr Rudd notes that as well as marking the Irish day of celebration the weekend represents the Ides of March, on which Roman Emperor Julius Caesar was stabbed to death by political conspirators in 44 BC.

Mr Rudd also refers to previous comments where he advised anyone wanting to engage in leadership speculation to cool down.

"Today is also the Ides of March, a day which commands the stark attention of anyone involved in the fratricide - I mean the profession - of politics," he jokes.