Tasmanian independent MP Andrew Wilkie has reportedly said Opposition Leader Tony Abbott would make a good prime minister.

Mr Wilkie is quoted in News Limited papers as declaring support for Mr Abbott's potential.

Mr Wilkie has repeatedly threatened to withdraw support for the Federal Government if there is not progress towards putting restrictions on poker machines.

Asked about his comments, Prime Minister Julia Gillard said she would keep working with Mr Wilkie on problem gambling.

"Andrew Wilkie has a particular passion in this area. This is an area we'll keep working on together," she said.

"I've got very good working relationships with Mr Wilkie and I've got every expectation they'll continue."

Federal Sports Minister Mark Arbib also weighed in on Mr Abbott's leadership potential, saying the Federal Opposition Leader has provided a model for other opposition leaders to follow.

He told Sky News that NSW Labor needs to get back to basics after its massive state election defeat last month.

He says its leader John Robertson needs to unify the party against Premier Barry O'Farrell.

"Hold Barry O'Farrell to account - that's the key of good opposition," he said.

"Tony Abbott has provided a decent model for John Robertson to follow. Keep it simple."

Greens MP Adam Bandt, who along with Mr Wilkie makes up the Government's numbers in the Lower House, says he does not agree with Mr Wilkie's remarks.

"I've got concerns about the way the way that Tony Abbott is leading the Coalition," he said.

"I think it would be one where the conservatives very much have it over the liberals in the Liberal party."

Editor's note: After this story was published, Andrew Wilkie said he did not say Mr Abbott would make a good prime minister.

He provided a transcript of the interview with the News Limited journalist.

"I think he'd (Tony Abbott) be an effective prime minister. I mean that's without talking about specific policy areas. There's obviously some policy areas where with him I'd have some concerns such as irregular immigration or border security. But I think that some people are too quick to knock him. The fact is he came within a whisker of pulling off one of the biggest upsets in Australian political history and he needs to be given credit for that."