CANBERRA (AFP) - Australia's former leader Kevin Rudd on Thursday said he would not stand against Prime Minister Julia Gillard after she called a Labor party leadership ballot.

Mr Rudd was widely expected to challenge Ms Gillard, but he said he was a man of honour and would abide by earlier pledges not to run against her again after a failed leadership challenge in February last year.

"I'm not prepared to dishonour my word," said Mr Rudd.