Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has rejected claims he told independent MP Tony Windsor that the only thing he would not do to become prime minister is "sell his arse".

Mr Windsor made the claim during a series of interviews marking the anniversary of the independents' decision to back a Labor minority government.

He says he felt alarm and pity when Mr Abbott revealed how badly he wanted the top job.

"I remember him saying 'Tony, I would do anything for this job. The only thing I wouldn't do is sell my arse, but I'd have to give serious thought to it'," Mr Windsor told Fairfax media.

But Mr Abbott has strongly denied that he ever made the statement.

"I don't speak like that. People who know me know that I don't speak like that," he said.

"I engaged in negotiation to the best of my ability but I think that some of the people who I was negotiating with had already made up their minds."

The Fairfax report said the independents revealed that they felt badly treated by the Opposition.

The independent MP for Kennedy, Bob Katter, is reported to be deeply disenchanted that the Liberal leader failed to stand by a deal to push for mandating ethanol in petrol.

Another independent, Rob Oakeshott, is reported to have recalled Mr Abbott begging for his support, but would not comment about the remark said to have been made to Mr Windsor.

The right decision

Sorry, this video has expired Andrew Wilkie says he is happy he supported Julia Gillard

Independent MP Andrew Wilkie told ABC TV's Insiders program that he is happy he backed a Labor minority government.

"Notwithstanding the current troubles, I stand by my decision, I have no regrets," he said.

"[The Government is] clearly in a deep hole right now ... but I think on balance people need to give it a bit of a fair go."

Mr Wilkie says he is not convinced Mr Abbott would be doing a better job as prime minister in the current circumstances.

He said while the media seemed preoccupied with questions of leadership, he thought Prime Minister Julia Gillard was "doing a pretty good job".

"I think it's impossible to say Julia Gillard will definitely be the prime minister at the next election," he said.

"I think she will, that's my assessment. I hope she is."

ABC/AAP