In a frank and personal interview on ABC radio in Brisbane, Ms Gillard said fairness and a "love of country and a love of family" were at the core of her personal values.

However, she said she often felt misunderstood, particularly when it came to the modern-day media cycle.

"I think there is a lot in this time of change in the media industry that pushes the cycle towards more schlock, more horror," she said.

"That means you need more and more drama or you can't sustain it, so even the simplest things get puffed up in a way that is really pretty absurd."