With ElBaradei's second term as International Atomic Energy Agencychief about to end, The Washington Post reported that US officials have listened in to telephone conversations between him and Iranian diplomats, seeking ammunition against him.

The administration of President George W. Bush opposes a third term for ElBaradei, regarding his stance on Iran's suspected nuclear weapons program as too soft, and wants to replace him with Downer, the newspaper said.

However, Downer has been unwilling to take on the job, it said.

Downer's office maintained a firm silence on the issue Monday, but Defence Minister Robert Hill said the government had confidence in ElBaradei.

"Yes, the government has confidence in him," Hill said in response to a journalist's question.

"The head of the IAEA is one of the most difficult and I would argue important international tasks. Proliferation of nuclear weapons is a matter of great concern to us."

Nominations for the position close at the end of the month.

Hill said he wanted to see Downer carry on in his present job.

"He's doing an excellent job as foreign minister so I'd like him to stay as foreign minister," Hill said.

Downer recently hosted ElBaradei at a nuclear proliferation conference in Sydney, fielding media questions with him as host, as Australia is represented on the IAEA's board of governors.

The government of Prime Minister John Howard has been one of the strongest supporters of the United States over the war against terror and the invasion of Iraq, where several hundred Australian troops still serve.

Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd demanded Monday that the conservative government clarify its stance on ElBaradei's position.

"If the Howard government has a view that the current head of the IAEA is not up to the job then they have a responsibility to tell the Australian people and the international community why that is the case what has he done wrong and what Mr. Downer would offer better," Rudd told national radio.

"I haven't heard anyone say so far that Mohamed ElBaradei has performed badly."

The United States wants the IAEA to report Iran to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions over what Washington says is a covert nuclear weapons program.

But ElBaradei says the "jury is still out" on whether Tehran's program is peaceful or not.

The Egyptian diplomat, 62, has also earned the ire of Washington by questioning US intelligence on Iraq.

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