Lexi,

I certainly don't hate PM Gillard, but I do think she could have more clearly passed responsibility for browning off Wilkie back onto those who did.

However, to be honest, I thought that, once Jenkins had resigned as Speaker and Slipper took his place, that she might try something like this, thinking she had a larger buffer with a three-seat majority than with one.

That's politics - dirty, opportunistic and sometimes just bloody stupid.

Cheers sweetie,

Joe

Dear Joe (Loudmouth),

I agree - politics is not for the faint-hearted.
Some pollies appear solely interested in playing
political games, boosting their egos,and keeping
their seats of power.

I tend to agree with a poster who made this comment on
on the web:

"If they made the pre-commitment apply only to machines
above $1, I reckon the average punter would see that as
a reasonable compromise, and the PM could force through
a deal that would diffuse the worst of tensions without
making too many enemies."

But you're right the PM is not on a sure thing with her
numbers in Parliament, and all it would take is a
change of heart by one of the Independents who support
her at the moment or for a member of her party to become
sick and have to leave Parliament and she could have a
serious problem.

I guess to remain in politics as a leader -
you need to have a very
strong skin, and possibly be a Labor reprise of
Margaret Thatcher.

Lexi you are in difficult waters.
Rechtub is not so aware of the subject, the very facts of the matter.
You can hit the ball past him a dozen times and he will not know you have served.
Let us look [this answers a respected poster loudmouth too]
Gillard, I and most know, and knew, as time past, it became clear and not unusual, Abbott would not pass the bill, other independents too would not all vote for it.
TWO sides existed here Wilkie DEMANDED IT PASS nothing less.
AS IT could not he like Gillard broke THAT DEAL.
I always supported the reform, look at my thread note the detractors, think it was nanny state.
I still think Gillard best serves the ALP by leaving it.
Or better still being a Minister.
BUT TO SAY SHE LIED!
Our threads author, wanting no reform, sides with the Greens?
This country will be a better place after no independents are in any house and the greens forever return to the rump they should be.
Of most interest to me? Abbott if in power would have totally different policy's the man is an invention of his own self interest not a politician.
loudmouth in fact Labor has a 2 seat majority one when Wilkie votes with Abbott.

Lexi,

Your first comment was that this was a non issue, as the PM had pledged to pass the legislation and as yet had said nothing to the contrary.

If Wilkie's vote was essential Juliar would have moved heaven and earth to pass the legislation, now the clubs are having a punishing effect on the popularity of Labor MPs, and she would love to have an excuse to scrap the poisonous and useless legislation.

She has offered Oakeshott and Windsor no incentive to pass the legislation, and can use it as a feeble excuse to break her promise.

Dear Lexi, it was not I who had my head in the sand, as I, unlike yourself could read between the lines.

Furthermore, if Julia knew the legislation was unworkable, then she should be even more ashamed for doing the deal in the first place. Typical of a person in desperation mode.

Further evidence that she lied, a she obviously had no intention to go with the deal, all she needed was the numbers, and I would suggest she had a huge part in that as well.

I have been accssed of being I'll informed many times, however, I predicted KRudd would get the chop and Julia would become PM.

I predicted that the new IR laws would reap havoc in the hospitality sector.

I also stated that the pre commitment laws would be seen as unworkable.

Yes, very I'll informed!

One more time.
The effort to prove Gillard lied on this issue best describes the current state of debate in Australian Politics.
We are letting our selves be flim flamed, by both sides and a media no longer interested in other than stirring one of our every day functions by products

First see Wilkes conditions, *he DEMANDED it pass both houses by may.
I ask this did ANY CHANCE EVER EXIST* it could pass?
And was it *GILLARD who stopped it or both sides afraid of clubs and pubs*

Abbott is feeding the chooks, us, so we get in line to eat CONSTRUCTED miss information.
I see a benefit here for the Australian Labor Party and Conservatives.
While the whole issue is a fallacy , while Gillard has not done wrong.
It is clear she cannot win back this country, even if handing out Gold bars.
Her replacement leads to Abbott's and we can return to politics not mud throwing.
I charge Conservatives with American style muck raking.
And this country is ill served by them doing that, to hide their lack of alternative policy's.
Sir Robert Menzies must be rolling in his grave, as Abbott turns his construction in to an oil rag.