I think we are better off with what we have. If tony gets his way he wants shoot people by the boat load. I don't know if that will go down to well. If you don't have the numbers, you have to go about things in a different manner. You must admit, it takes a lot of strength to make that decision. Wilkie will get over his tantrum, and see the light.

Lexi,

Even the Labor MPs in caucus admit that this was a stupid policy from day One, considering that the only comparable trial in Norway was an abject failure. The reaction from the clubs to legislation that would cost billions, reduce revenue, with negligible effect and no compensation is entirely understandable.

That Juliar was so morally vacuous to agree to it in the first place, shows that she places political power first and foremost against the good of Australia.

the choice is between the broader interests of the nation, and the narrow self-interest of labor and Juliar that stand to lose access to the gravy train.

Shadow Minister you actually have taken every side, and invented even more here.
You decry your idea of good policy trys o desperately to mine Gold in a coal seam.
John Howard after he lost the leadership said,*it would be Lazarus raising * for him to try again, he did history shows.
He gave a promise GST was dead, but after public approval at an election implemented it.
Abbott said no to extra superannuation but changed his mind.
Your party signed up to carbon tax then pulled out.
Your mission Sir, and you have chosen to take it, is to make every issue a tool to insult readers without the ability to see you as you are.
No politician of any worth, never changes their mind.
AT, after Tony, your mob will glow, in comparison with the small in intellect and honesty, man he is.

Belly,

You wouldn't know a good policy if it bit you.

The traits of a good policy are:
1 proven to work by conducted trials or implementation overseas,
2 Minimal cost of implementation to those involved and the taxpayer,
3 Minimal repercussions with respect to job losses etc.

lets see how pre commitment fares:
1 No trials done in Aus, and comparable trial in Norway a complete failure.
2 Cost of implementation about $3b to the clubs, and loss of revenue a major hit to state revenues.
3 Many clubs in rural and depressed areas will no longer be viable and will have to close.

So Mandatory pre commitment is a shocking policy all round. All it has going for it is that Labor is seen to be doing something.

Many of Labor's policies suffer from the same defects especially the carbon tax and NBN.

On top of it Juliar promised to implement it. Another lie.

Dear SM,

I'll repeat things for you - because it
seems that you don't read anything that disagrees
with you and your Party's spin and rhetoric.
However, the facts are as follows:

1) Mandatory pre-commitment has already been trailed
in South Australia, in Queensland and in the
Canadian province of Nova Scotia. The evidence has
been reviewed by the Productivity Co0mmission.

2) Mandatory pre-commitment is no silver bullet but all
the trials showed a SIGNIFICANT NUMBER of gamers used the
pre-commitment schemes to monitor and LIMIT their daily
expenditure.

3) The Canadian trials in particular, showed a REDUCTION
in total expenditure by gamers after the introduction of
the scheme.

4) No wonder the big clubs are worried about a similar
scheme in Australia. Which in turn means that you and
your Party is going to do everything it can to make sure
it doesn't succeed. Good Luck with that.

Cheers.

Belly, your post says it all, it was a dud policy from day one, yet, knowing this, she took it on board for one reason only, to hold on to office.

SHE LIED,

Now as for the pokie, I hate them.

I would be quite happy t see them outlawed all together.

Life before pokies, in QLD, saw ladies with cake stands in most streets, raising money for well deserved causes.

Loose coin today goes to the pokies in mos cases, not the ladies a the cake stand, or the guide dog on the counter.

If you want to slow them, take away the bells and whistles, make them a coin slot in the wall, where one inserts thei coin, then gets a message that says either, lost or won.

The very fact tha clubs and pubs are so reliant on them is evidence enough to suggest they are evil.

However, this thread is not about the good or bad side of the pokies, it's about Julia Gillard and the fact that she simply can not be trusted, as her word is worthless.

Now considering she holds the highest position available, this is a genuine worry.