RObert...

Whilst I accept that as a reasonable proposition at first glance ... you also have to look at the flip side.

The agreement was that the wealthy missed out on their tax cuts, no GST on books, no GST on education. At the election we weren't given the full details and with Howard "the devil" is always in the detail! We now have GST on education other than school fees, on books and the wealthy got the tax cuts. The tax cuts haven't compensated families for any of the broken promises. The only promise kept was no GST on many foods and originally Howard wanted that also.

He has given so many benefits to the wealthy it is unbelievable... Higher tax free thresholds give the wealthy more, lowering the other tax rates give the wealthy more and then he has lowered company tax also. The wealthy have won at every level because they earn at every level of the tax charts at the expense of the low & middle income earners and families!

None of the deal was stuck to by Howard... so if the Democrats have to cave in to keep an election promise of the elected Govt then shouldn't the elected Govt keep the promise to them. Howard broke the deal as soon as he had Senate majority... so likewise the Dems should live by the system that Johnnie created. They got suckered by a snake oil salesman.

See your argument is a bit one sided. The Democrats think that negotiating keeps them in the main game... But just saying no is also staying in the main game especially when that is what is expected of them... they were elected also!

Under your system if Howard won an election based on Nuclear power plants any deal to push it through can be dissolved at his end only... Not exactly an honest way of operating!

Howard has lowered the standards of Parliament and the Dems have let down Australians... What have these Senators done to Don Chip's dream that was the Democrats? They must be so proud!