I recall John Howard also saying he would never ever introduce a GST. In both circumstances the playing field changed and both Gillard and Howard changed their view. In Gillards case she needed the Greens to form government. In Howards case following a decision of the High Court that franchise fees charged by the states on cigarettes, alcohol and fuel was unconstitutional, removing revenue from the states and territories, Howard saw the need for the states to have autonomy on a portion of their revenue.
In my view Gillard should have held her original line on carbon tax and formed a minority government. LNP would never ever have convinced Greens to form a government.
