Polled voters back Abbott

A MAJORITY of voters in the electorates held by three key independents say they should back the coalition to form the new federal government, a new poll says.

With Labor and the coalition shy of a majority in the lower house after Saturday's election, both major parties need the support of independents Bob Katter, Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott to form government.

The Galaxy poll, published in News Limited newspapers, says 52 per cent of their constituents want the trio to help Tony Abbott over the line.

Only 36 per cent of the 600 voters in the three electorates, who were polled on Tuesday, said the trio should back Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

But 77 per cent of voters in the three electorates said national interest should be the key concern for the three independents to consider, compared with 19 per cent who said the interests of their electorate should be upper-most in the MPs' minds.

All three MPs have indicated they would listen to their electorates in helping one major party or the other win the 76 lower house seats they require, but would be guided by the national interest.