Abbott wounded by electoral law backflip LABOR says Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's decision to go back on a written promise to back electoral law reforms casts doubt on other coalition pre-election pledges. The federal government decided on Thursday not to go ahead with the laws, which would have delivered around $58 million in extra public funding for political parties now preparing for the September poll. The bill would also have delivered more than 20 other electoral reforms, including the lowering of the private donation disclosure threshold to $5000, from $12,000. Mr Abbott's backflip came after Liberal Party executive members told him in a teleconference on Wednesday night to pull his support for the bill in the wake of a voter backlash. The deal had been negotiated between two senior Labor and coalition officials, ALP secretary George Wright and Liberal Party director Brian Loughnane. Mr Abbott initially approved the deal and on May 24 wrote to Special Minister of State Mark Dreyfus saying: "I am satisfied with the agreement reached and indicate the coalition's intention to support the legislation and to deal with it, as requested, before the end of the sittings." The government accepted this as bipartisan support for the bill and was due to introduce it on Thursday, after the Labor caucus approved it on Tuesday - despite two MPs speaking against it. But Mr Abbott said on Thursday although there was an argument in favour of public funding of political parties, he could not agree to spending taxpayers' money when the federal budget was facing an "emergency" at the "fag end of a very contentious parliament." "In the end, democratic political leaders have got to be conscious of the mood of the public," he told reporters in Canberra, while noting there had also been opposition within coalition ranks. However, Prime Minister Julia Gillard said Mr Abbott couldn't be trusted, even when his promises were in writing. "There is a huge gulf between what Mr Abbott says and what Mr Abbott does," she said, adding the opposition leader had been rolled by his own leadership team. If his closest colleagues don't think he is up to the job, then why should anybody else? Labor remains committed to electoral reform that would increase transparency. Greens Leader Christine Milne agreed Mr Abbott's turnaround raised doubts about his other policy positions, including his vow not to reintroduce the contentious Howard-era Work Choices employment regime. "This will really undermine public confidence, because Mr Abbott is saying he wants to be regarded as trustworthy and competent," she said. The effort today has shown that none of those adjectives can be used to describe him. Independent MP Tony Windsor - who lobbied hard against the extra funding for parties - said it also showed why he had not signed an agreement with Mr Abbott to form government after the 2010 tied election. "I think many in the Australian public and the Labor Party will probably see an indication of that logic today," Mr Windsor said. Mr Abbott later told Macquarie Radio he made an "error of judgment" when he signed the letter agreeing to the deal. If there is an error of judgment what should you do? Insist you weren't wrong, or say maybe there was an error and correct it? Mr Abbott said. He said the electoral reforms had been talked about since just after the 2010 election but the legislation had been "sprung on people at the last minute."