Opposition leader Kevin Rudd has finally acknowledged the video which apparently showed him picking and eating his own ear wax in parliament, saying he wished his behavior could have been "more ideal."

The video, played in YouTube.com and circulated via email around the world, showed a younger Rudd doing the ear-dig thing during his earlier years as a member of parliament.

Rudd told reporters in Grafton, NSW, "All of us in public and private life would wish our behavior to be more ideal."

The ear wax internet video was even aired on American national television on The Tonight Show hosted by Jay Leno.

Leno said, "We complain about the behavior of our elected officials. We are not as bad as Australia."

He then showed the video of Rudd picking his ear wax.

Rudd is running against Prime Minister John Howard for Australia's top post. Surveys show Rudd leading against Howard.