The Gillard Government and, moreover, Gillard herself have been criticised for passing the carbon tax and Malaysia solution bills side by side. The government could have had a wonderful week in which it won a major policy victory. Instead, it was overshadowed by this great defeat in immigration. Some even argued it was risky for the Government to take the risk of a constructive no confidence motion.
I wonder how airtight this logic is. The carbon tax is deeply unpopular, the benefits from having a win in Parliament would be swiftly overwhelmed by the Liberal’s attack dogs. A whole week of whinging about the great big tax. Instead, the Gillard government swept those headlines away with a kiss and an ability to brand Abbott as Dr No on the most crucial issue in bogan Australia. Plus, she healed divisions with the Left. I call that a win.
