Abbott says he's not 'dead man walking'

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has dismissed commentary that he is “dead man walking” after surviving a move to call a spill of the Liberal Party leadership.

Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott (centre), surrounded by supporters, leaves a meeting of the ruling Liberal Party on Monday, Feb 9, 2015.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has denied reports he asked the party room for six more months ahead of Monday's vote, which saw him cling to leadership.

Mr Abbott told the ABC's 7.30 program that he was a fighter and not a "dead man walking", a description provided by host Leigh Sales.

“I know how to beat Labor party leaders,” he said.

“I beat Kevin Rudd, I beat Julia Gillard. I can beat Bill Shorten as well.”

Mr Abbott also drew on the leadership of former Prime Minister John Howard during the interview, saying that the Howard Government was “widely expected to be a one term government”.

He avoided answering questions on stepping aside in the future, stating instead that “we would be not the best possible government if we engaged in endless navel gazing and musical chairs when it comes to leadership”.

Sixty-one Liberal Party MPs and senators voted against the spill motion in the Liberal party room earlier today.

Thirty-nine politicians supported the motion, while there was one informal vote and one absentee.