Slippery Slipper props up Julia Gillard Government after Andrew Wilkie withdraws support

Slipper is effectively the man holding up the Gillard Government. And the Sunshine Coast turncoat is set to come under renewed pressure from local voters over his move to accept the Speaker's role now that key Independent Andrew Wilkie has abandoned the Labor ship over pokies' reform.

Mr Slipper has twice declared he wouldn't have taken the Speaker's job if it would "guarantee the Government's endurance in office". He now finds himself in that position, keeping Prime Minister Julia Gillard off the knife's edge, despite 34,000 Sunshine Coast voters sending him to Canberra under the LNP banner.

Labor MPs lined up yesterday to trumpet Ms Gillard's plans for a trial of pre-commitment technology in the ACT - the policy that broke her deal with Mr Wilkie.

Those thrilled with the deal include Labor MPs in club-heavy seats, who were dogged by anti-Labor campaigning from Clubs Australia.

It comes as new figures reveal the 12-month trial will cost taxpayers more than $85 million, including $36 million in "participation fees" for venues and millions more than $50 million for technology infrastructure.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott lashed out yesterday, claiming the PM had secured her spot in The Lodge under false pretences because she ultimately walked away from the deal with Mr Wilkie that originally ensured his vote.

"Andrew Wilkie ... gave the PM the keys to The Lodge, and now he has been betrayed by the person who he helped," Mr Abbott said.

He said the PM's parliamentary majority also rested on besieged Labor MP Craig Thomson, who is under police investigations in two states. However, Mr Wilkie has already said he wants the Government to serve a full term for "stability".

Mr Slipper, who left the LNP in November citing "bullying", took up the Speaker's job as an Independent and boosted the PM's control of the House by returning Labor's Harry Jenkins to the backbench and removing himself from the Coalition benches.

Mr Slipper has only spoken publicly twice since his controversial defection, both times stating he took the job on the understanding that none of the other Independents backing Ms Gillard planned to switch sides.

He said he believed Labor would stay in power "regardless" of whether or not he accepted the promotion.

"I would not have accepted this position if my election to this office was going to guarantee the Government's endurance in office," he said last year. Mr Slipper would not comment yesterday.

Meanwhile, the Greens will seek to amend or introduce laws imposing a maximum $1 bet on all poker machines.

Peter Slipper props up Julia Gillard Government after Andrew Wilkie withdraws support

so Pete, if you wouldn't have accepted the Speakership if the government's survival was dependent on it, what the hell stops you from resigning right now ..... wouldn't have anything to do with self-interest now, would it Pete?