What a complete load of rubbish on this thread -and many other threads!
There was an agreement about pairing the speaker;
Gillard tried to wedge the Libs with an Independent speaker which would give Labor an advantage:
Abbott looked at the proposition which had now changed the balance and said NO;
don't all try to make a big deal out of it- it's politics and unfortunately politics now is a 24/7 business with sound bites for the newscasts and nonstop electioneering.
Oh for the days when you just elected your local member and they went to Canberra on your behalf and everyone got on with their own lives.
