Gillard returns to the limelight, on behalf of an old friend

Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard has broken a self-imposed exile, and spoken about the dying days of her prime ministership.

Launching former colleague Greg Combet's new book, she said she would have liked to see him become prime minister, but it was not to be.

"There came a time when it was clear to me that my leadership was very likely to come to an early end," Ms Gillard said.

"I wanted to see the next fight of his life be for the support of his colleagues to lead the Labor government into the 2013 election. It was not to be."

The roll call for Mr Combet's book launch read like a Federal class of 2010 reunion. The flash of the cameras no longer about selling policies, but selling books.

It's no surprise Julia Gillard remained tight lipped during her rare public appearance today. she'll be saving any secrets for her own political memoir, due out in a couple of months.