Govt strategy to damage Shorten: Wong

The federal coalition will throw everything but the kitchen sink at Bill Shorten ahead of the election, says Labor frontbencher Penny Wong.

The Labor leader has apologised for lying to the media about his knowledge of the coup against Julia Gillard and the government is stepping up its attack on his union past.

"What they're going to do is throw everything but the kitchen sink at Bill Shorten and the Labor party in an effort to re-win government," Senator Wong told 5AA radio on Monday, adding that Mr Shorten would lead Labor to the election due in 2016.