Dalai Lama in Australia

Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th reincarnation of the first Dalai Lama, began his fifth tour of Australia similarly to his first - with a lot of laughter, some ordinary good sense and a delightful openness.

Asked at his Melbourne media conference if he ever got angry, he said he certainly did.

"Yesterday. I lost my temper .... I shouted," he said.

And then he laughed and delivered a sermon on inner peace.

Before the questions began, the Dalai Lama asked if he could say a few words.

Over the next 20 minutes he requested that his audience remember their professional ethics - and suggested they needed the nose of an elephant "to smell in front and behind the politicians".

The leader of the Yellow Hat branch of Tibetan Buddhism also warned against becoming self-centred and, in particular, not to get too carried away with sport.

In what must be interpreted as an example of his willingness to accept all points of view, he left the conference with a football under his arm and a Collingwood AFL club jumper over his shoulder.

In between, the Dalai Lama, who is one month short of his 76th birthday, fielded questions on same-sex marriage, his relationship with China and his holiday plans.

He's neither for or against gay marriage; same for China ... and he's hoping to refine his schedule to a two-week-on, three-week-off mix of spreading his message around the world and meditation.

"My mind is often scattered," he said.

"I need to practice concentration ... to spend more time on meditation."

One person who won't be on his mind during his quiet moments will be Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who has followed the trend of previous Australian leaders and so far declined an official meeting.

Asked if he was disappointed not to be meeting Ms Gillard, he replied firmly: "I have nothing to say to her."

One reason for the categorical response is that the Dalai Lama last month relinquished his position as head of the Tibetan government, a role his predecessors had occupied for 300 years.

"Now I am a free man," he said.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has committed to meeting with him in Canberra next Tuesday but Ms Gillard still isn't saying whether she will do the same.

A spokeswoman said on Thursday the prime minister's diary for next week was still to be confirmed.

Victorian federal Labor MP Michael Danby has been lobbying her to meet with the respected Buddhist, even though such a meeting might anger China.

The Dalai Lama met with then-prime minister John Howard in 2007 but Kevin Rudd dodged meetings in 2007 and 2009, sparking accusations he was kowtowing to China.

The Australian Tibet Council has also called on Ms Gillard to commit to a meeting.

Reflecting on his unsuccessful campaign for Tibetan autocracy that has led him to live in exile since 1959, the Dalai Lama said he believed he could claim some achievements.

"That doesn't mean I made no mistakes," he said.

"But I have no regrets, my life has been quite useful."

The Dalai Lama's tour of Australia also takes in Canberra, Queensland and Western Australia.