Ms King comments came as Mr Latham yesterday officially launched his tell-all book on the Labor Party.

"I haven't had a look at either the book that has come out or Mark's comments but I think that Mark is entitled to his opinion and his views as are all political commentators on these issues," she said.

"I don't think it's the first time the Labor Party has had bad press.

"Frankly I feel pretty sorry that Mark's left politics.

"I think he had some good views but I think it's not overly helpful to have him making these sorts of views at the moment.

"He's entitled to his opinion but of course I don't agree with him."

Ms King said contrary to Mr Latham's attack on the party she believed the ALP had a "strong future".

"We have got a really strong team, we hold every state and territory, membership's continuing to grow."

Mr Latham visited Ballarat in the lead up to last year's federal election vowing to fly the Eureka Flag at Parliament House, and later returned to the city for the Eureka 150 celebrations.