Australia's opposition leader Tony Abbott told a gathering of conservative party faithful that no one is "the suppository of all wisdom."

Mr Abbott appeared unperturbed by tittering among journalists and Liberal Party supporters and continued to speak earnestly in a speech in Melbourne.

He apparently meant to say "repository" - a storage place - rather than a medication inserted in the rectum.

In the run-up to the general election he was attacking prime minister Kevin Rudd's reputation for making decisions without consulting colleagues.

Mr Abbott said, "No one, however smart, however well educated, however experienced, is the suppository of all wisdom."

Mr Abbott's Liberal Party-led coalition is favored to win the September 7 elections after six years in opposition.