http://www.thepunch.com.au/author-bios/tom-cummings/ Tom Cummings is a gambling reform advocate and former poker machine addict. He blogs about his thoughts, experiences and observations at http://www.cyenne.com, and maintains the rage on Twitter as @cyenne40. en Copyright 2012 The Punch penberthyd@newsltd.com.au penberthyd@newsltd.com.au Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 Politics, opinion, world news, sports news, latest news, views, Barack Obama, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Nathan Rees, Malcolm Turnbull, Peter Garrett, Barnaby Joyce, Australian, federal politics, opinion polls, election, The Punch, thepunch, punch ExpressionEngine 1.6.7 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 15 http://www.thepunch.com.au/images/punch-logo-rss.png http://www.thepunch.com.au/ 144 70 Politics, political opinion, world news, sports news and the latest news and views updated live, daily on The Punch - Australia's best conversation. Search The Punch keywords http://www.thepunch.com.au/search/ http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/gillards-time-to-go-double-or-nothing-on-pokies/ If there’s one thing you can count on in Canberra these days, it’s that nothing is guaranteed. As the government dances along the knife edge of minority support, the balance of power seems to be shifting on a daily basis. Such is the case with Andrew Wilkie. Only a few months ago it appeared that his influence with Labor had been dealt a serious, almost terminal blow, with the role of Speaker moving from Harry Jenkins to Peter Slipper. Indeed, it was only a short time later that Julia Gillard reneged on her agreement with Wilkie, which in turn led to him withdrawing his support for her government. Yet here we are just a short time later, with Slipper on the cross-benches and embattled Labor MP Craig Thomson joining him. Anna Burke has stepped into the Speaker’s role temporarily, reducing her influence to that of a casting vote. And amidst all the turmoil, while allegations and sordid details are replayed endlessly in the media, Wilkie has found himself once more in a position of power. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Tom Cummings) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/gillards-time-to-go-double-or-nothing-on-pokies/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/gillards-time-to-go-double-or-nothing-on-pokies/#item8428 Mon, 07 May 2012 04:30:35 +0000 Tom Cummings | Author bios | The Punch http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/id-lie-awake-pokie-music-running-through-my-head/ Everyone’s talking about poker machines these days. Our politicians and our newspapers, our clubs and pubs; everyone has an opinion on what we should and shouldn’t do with regards to the pokies. But they’re talking about numbers and policies, votes and strategies and campaigns. They’re not talking about the people who have been hurt, who are hurting still. People like me. When I was 24 years old, I had the world on a string. Life was mine for the taking. I was engaged to be married and surrounded by fantastic friends; I had my university degree framed on the wall, a great job and excellent prospects. But by the time I turned 25, life as I knew it was over. I was addicted to poker machines. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Tom Cummings) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/id-lie-awake-pokie-music-running-through-my-head/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/id-lie-awake-pokie-music-running-through-my-head/#item7551 Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:05:48 +0000 Tom Cummings | Author bios | The Punch