So how long will it take Independent Andrew Wilkie to realise he cannot trust the Gillard Labor government?

The Nationals Duty Senator for Lyne John Williams said Mr.Wilkie's cave-in on his  demanded poker machine reforms is an embarrassment for the Tasmanian MP.

Senator Williams said Mr. Wilkie's support for the Gillard government was dependent on a mandatory pre-commitment system starting in 2014. In an interview in March last year he said "The agreement I did reach with Julia Gillard, which I will hold her to, that there will be mandatory pre-commitment systems rolled out on every poker machine in the land commencing in 2014."

"On numerous occasions Mr. Wilkie said this agreement was not negotiable. He made it clear he would withdraw his support for the government if it didn't happen.

But Prime Minister Gillard has effectively broken her word again under heavy pressure from many of her MP's who know the introduction of the poker machine mandatory pre-commitment system will go down like a lead balloon in their electorates.

Mr.Wilkie is trying to put a positive spin on his back down, but he cannot hide from the fact that he nominated timelines for reforms and said he would walk if they weren't in place.