Certainly a far more creditable response than the content I was referring to before mate.
The current outcome Federally finds us in a position similar in some respects to that which we found ourselves in after the Tasmanian election, although clearly without as high a proportion of representation or overall influence as is the case in Tasmania now.
So no, not the first time we've been in a situation of this nature, although obviously it is the first time at Federal level.
The onus is also on the Labor Party to live up to the pledges they've made in the aftermath of the election. Improved consultation, and substantially improved effort when it comes to negotiation of bills, along with planned reforms designed to reduce the dominance of the executive, and enhance the role of MPs, should help deliver better outcomes.
The ALP's contemptuous attitude to negotiation with us, for instance, on the ETS issue, where there was no negotiation, no discussion of amendments or anything else, was a major factor in the failure of that bill. Hopefully they've learnt their lesson now.