In Australia, Bill Shorten has accused the prime minister of treating Kevin Rudd in a "shabby fashion" for "petty politics" after he refused to endorse him for the United Nations top job.

Australia won't be nominating Mr Rudd for secretary-general of the UN, even though he claims Malcolm Turnbull had told him Australia would be "mad" not to support him.

Opposition leader Bill Shorten says Mr Turnbull's actions are "pathetic".

He says a distinguished Australian has been treated in a very shabby fashion for nothing more than petty politics.