Shorten defends lying about Rudd meeting

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has defended lying about a meeting with Kevin Rudd in 2013, saying he didn't want to add fuel to the fire of Labor's leadership woes.

Mr Shorten said it was a mistake that occurred during "difficult times".

"The Labor party was bitterly divided and certainly I didn't want to put any more fuel on that fire," he told reporters in Canberra on Thursday.

Mr Shorten said he could guarantee he would not give those sorts of answers if asked about internal party matters in future.

"You can rest assured, I am kicking myself in hindsight," he said.

"If people ask about internal party matters, there are far better answers to give than the one I gave and we have learned that lesson."

Mr Shorten said suggestions that his integrity would be a problem in the lead-up to the next election were "ridiculous".

He denied his position as leader had become untenable.

"My colleagues and I are united," he said.