It's not always the case in other states, where some independents tend to be more radical and harder to deal with. They have made decisions better, not worse. They have improved some of the legislation, and I think the partnership is working well. Senior ministers say Labor has benefited from the strong relationships built up in opposition between key Labor figures and Savage and Davies. Nonetheless, one cabinet minister concedes that some Labor MPs had been anxious about how the arrangement with the independents would play out in government.
People know the rules.
They have some latitude. They voted with us on some bills. They voted against on others. But in terms of the essential program of the government, Labor's financial statement, the budget, the budget parameters, they're locked into that on the basis of the signed agreement. The relationship is based, says Davies, on mutual respect and goodwill.