JULIA GILLARD is understood to have backed away from her promise to introduce a mandatory pre-commitment scheme for using poker machines.
The Prime Minister has told the anti-pokies independent, Andrew Wilkie, she will not support an alternative proposal, backed by the senator Nick Xenophon, for maximum bet limits of $1.

Sources close to Mr Wilkie told the Herald Ms Gillard revealed the backdown in a meeting on Sunday. He is said to be ''stunned'' by her decision and is considering whether to continue to support the government.

Juliar Gillard's word is not worth anything, and keeps her promises only if forced to.

The PM is too strong to be pushed around by an independent at this time.

Whatever the outcome the story was always going to be either "Gillard caves in to Wilkie" or "Gillard caves in to Clubs".

579 and Wobbles,

Actually the story yet again is that Juliar broke yet another promise, simply because keeping her word became inconvenient.

All this hoopla about tackling problem gambling was so much phony spin.

I may be wrong, I some times am.
But I think, true story of substance exist, one that could be used to flog Gillard.
This feeble insult is par for the course.
Seems most conservatives, SM? did not want this reform.
And it seems, to me at least, no one yet knows just what Gillard is thinking.
I throw for consideration on the table this.
Conservatives it has been said, had no intention of passing any such bill.
Independents, some yes some no.
As Labor members,some, did not want it, how did Gillard lie?
Feeble and in truth constructed.
SM let me help, yesterday polls showed Gillard as preferred PM, you highlight that poll EVERY TIME IT IS ABBOTT.
Both leaders carry over 50% of voters belief they are doing a bad job.
Thoughts?
You are Bronwyn Bishop arnt you?

As far as I'm aware the PM and Mr Wilkie are still
in the negotiating stage of their discussions and
nothing as yet has been decided. So what is being
reported is merely speculation and hearsay but of-course
some people will try to make political scoring
out of whatever they can while others will simply
repeat their party's negativity regarding this government.

Dear oh dear - its a new year but the same old
tactics are still the norm for some.