THE opposition frontbencher Bronwyn Bishop has revealed that Tony Abbott would have called another election had he succeeded in negotiating with the independents in 2010 to form minority government.

Ms Bishop's revelation confirms the long-held suspicions of the independents, Rob Oakeshott and Tony Windsor, who never trusted Mr Abbott's assurances he would govern for the full term.

"Of course we would have gone to another election" ... Bronwyn Bishop. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

It has also been seized upon by the government's Craig Emerson to claim Mr Abbott ''has been exposed as a liar''.

Ms Bishop made the revelation during a robust exchange with the Trade Minister, Craig Emerson, on the Sky News panel program The Nation on Thursday night.