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Wilkie ends #ALP support over poker reform fallout | Herald Sun

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UPDATE 3.05pm: ANDREW Wilkie has scrapped his agreement with Julia Gillard to back the Government after she walked away from a signed agreement on poker reform.

His announcement this afternoon comes afterthe Gillard Government earlier said it would trial pre-commitment amounts on pokie machines from next year and backed away from its gambling legislation deal with Mr Wilkie.

The Government will not fall as a result of his decision because the Prime Minister secured a two-vote buffer in the hung Parliament when Liberal Peter Slipper defected late last year to claim the job as Speaker.

Despite a compromise deal on the table from the Prime Minister, government sources earlier indicated they  expected Mr Wilkie to scrap his deal to back the Government on budget Bills and no confidence motions which could trigger an election.

The Tasmanian independent, who helped Labor form government in 2010 after extracting a deal to deliver on poker reform laws by May 2012, had told the Prime Minister he expected to scrap his agreement.

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About Darin Sullivan (1964 Articles)
Former President of the Fire Brigade Employees’ Union (2009-2018) and a professional firefighter with more than 30 years experience. I live and work on the NSW South Coast, Australia. I am a strong advocate for firefighters and emergency service workers with an interest in mental health issues and caring for those around me. I am a former Director on the NSW Fire Brigades Death and Disability Super Fund and work with charities including ‘The Movember Foundation’. As a leader and activist I have long been active in the campaign for action on climate change. I am a Station Commander in the fire and rescue service in NSW and have 30 years experience fighting fires, both rural and urban. I am passionate about highlighting the impact climate change is having on fire preparedness and fire behaviour in Australia, and the risks associated with inaction on climate change. I am also a spokesperson for the Australian Climate Media Centre.