labor gag keeps neal silent, page-13

No Premier leaves office of his own volition, believe me.

The only plausible reason I've heard was poor old Jim Bacon in Tasmania... he knew and made it public he had a short time to live because of lung cancer.

It's always better to be IN office, with all its trappings, the power, prestige, chauffered car, staff... than out of it as plain Mr Citizen.

So why has there been an exodus?

I always like to wait for future events to unfold and unmask the real reason.

You can bet that there's much machinations behind the scenes and they just don't go... they are pushed.

Pushed to conceal a scandal, or a looming challenge which could leave them bloodied.

Usually, the resignation "to spend more time with my family" defuses the situation and it's the end of the matter.

I know one premier who would otherwise be behind bars...