PM shown more dignity over Rudd than Labor

Special Minister of State Scott Ryan believes Malcolm Turnbull has shown more dignity than Labor over Kevin Rudd's failed attempt to get nominated for the United Nation's top job.

The prime minister last week refused to endorse the former Labor leader's bid to become secretary-general of the UN.

"The prime minister has shown more dignity towards Kevin Rudd than most of his colleagues over the past three years," Senator Ryan told Sky News on Sunday.

Labor frontbencher Ed Husic defended Mr Rudd's decision to release private correspondence from the prime minister showing Mr Turnbull had once backed his aspirations for the UN job.

Mr Husic said the correspondence needed to be in the public domain.

"This was not a decision made on merit," Mr Husic told Sky News.

"I think the public will rightly draw the conclusion that this was vindictive partisan politics."