I'm not quitting as PM, says Gillard after her worst week

Australian prime minister Julia Gillard today vowed to battle on as leader of her unpopular government, dismissing media reports that some of her own party had lost faith in her.

Ms Gillard, her face pale and drawn after what is emerging as one of her worst weeks in politics, appeared on TV to fend off leadership speculation after a court rejected her plan to send asylum seekers to Malaysia.

"I'm not going anywhere. I have too much to do," Ms Gillard told Sky TV. Asked if she had been approached about stepping down, she replied: "No." Opinion polls show Gillard and Labor, which relies on independent and Green MPs to stay in power, would lose office if an election were held now.

Media reports of discontent over Ms Gillard, pictured, whose ratings are worse than when she toppled predecessor Kevin Rudd a year ago, prompted senior Labor colleagues to come out in support.

Bookmakers Centrebet said odds for an early election next year - and on the conservative opposition winning - had shortened. Odds for Ms Gillard staying in office until then had grown.