I'm best person for the job, Hockey says

Treasurer Joe Hockey says he's no quitter.

He told ABC TV on Tuesday he was the best person for the job of federal treasurer.

"I'm not a quitter. I have never been a quitter and I'm not going to quit when it comes to the best interests of the nation," he said.

Questions have been raised about Mr Hockey's future after his poorly received first budget, which still has some of its measures held up in the Senate.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott told parliament on Tuesday he had full confidence in his treasurer.

Mr Hockey rejected suggestions he would soon lose his job.

"It is not about us. It is about the Australian people. I care passionately about my country and we are doing what is hard, not popular sometimes," he said.

Mr Hockey said Mr Abbott was right when he said the coalition had been bold and ambitious in its first year.

"We were but at the time we had no choice," he said.

"There is an argument that we shouldn't have put everything into the budget immediately, that we should have staggered it through the year," he said.