The Hume MP said he had been telling people for two weeks Bob Katter would side with the Coalition and Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott would go with Labor.

Accused of threatening Mr Windsor in the week after the August 21 poll, Mr Schultz said his "conversion had no influence" on the independents' decisions.

Former NSW Education Minister and Southern Highlands Labor branch president Rodney Cavalier has praised Julia Gillard for her post-election performance and said she brought Labor back from annihilation.

He said she was the best-qualified MP on either side and pulled off a "remarkable feat".

He said the three independents did a great job keeping their cards close to their chests and a minority government was a hazard for both sides. But it wasn't a bad outcome.

"Some of the best government were ones with a narrow majority. The Carr Government of '95 and the Wran Government of '76 ruled by one seat," he said.

Mr Schultz, who was retuned for a fifth term with a 13 per cent swing, said the decision of the independents would be put to the test in the new term and many of the changes made to the working of parliament would benefit all members.

He also said despite a better deal for regional Australia from the negotiations the "Labor-Greens-independent alliance" would upset a lot of people.

"Bob Brown didn't go into this alliance for nothing," Mr Schultz said.

Mr Windsor and Mr Oakeshott flagged Labor's broadband policy as deal breaker but Mr Schultz said the $43 billion policy hadn't been through a cost-benefit analysis.

He said he still supported the Coalition's broadband policy and optic fibre in tandem with wireless services was the way to go.

He said he would "hang on the words" of the pair that equity of funds for regional Australia became a reality.

"I have a list of projects which I will take to the ministers of the crown and test on the floor of parliament," he said.

If Labor's support failed the 71-year-old said he was ready for another election.

"Every day is polling day for me," Mr Schultz said.