ANALYSIS: Pivotal, independent and no pushover: Pocock treads same path as another independent powerbroker
On the industrial relations bill, Labor's most-difficult legislative challenge so far, the government hasn't targeted crossbencher Jacqui Lambie. Pocock is an easier dance partner.
Pocock has been inundated with representations for and against the IR bill, the contentious part of which extends multi-employer bargaining. The government will agree to an inquiry, make a modest change in the small-business definition, and give some other ground. Anthony Albanese is talking directly to Pocock.Pocock is willing to use his power to advance the specific interests of his voters, although the extent to which he might become a "transactional" politician in the months ahead is unclear.
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