But, with Mr Gordon's announcement on Wednesday that he would stay on as an independent member and "support the Palaszczuk government according to the aspirations of my constituents and my conscience", the Premier said he had "made his decision". Under standing orders it is impossible for Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk's party to refuse Cook MP Billy Gordon's vote. Credit:Michelle Smith Mr Gordon's decision gives Labor some breathing room and makes negotiations with the two Katter Party MPs, due to continue on Wednesday, less critical to the fledging government's survival. The LNP has continued to criticise the government for not making a stand by refusing to accept Mr Gordon's vote, a move the Clerk of the Parliament Neil Laurie advised last week was impossible. Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg had intended to send a member of his party out of the chamber if Mr Gordon voted with them to void his support.

But under the standing orders the LNP introduced last term, the parties won't know how the cross bench votes until after they have already lodged their vote with the parliament. Ms Palaszczuk said she would not change those standing orders. "The standing orders were put in place by the former LNP government," she said. "The standing orders were put in place and there is no intention to change those standing orders. "I am here talking about jobs, I have just announced a $60 million program to get people back into work and Lawrence Springborg wants to talk about the standing orders of the house.

"[He has] no ideas about governing this state, no policies, we are yet to hear one single new policy from the LNP. "All I hear from Lawrence Springborg is criticism and negativity, when today I am here discussing the future of young people, of mature aged people, people of disadvantaged backgrounds, about getting them back into work, getting them a job. "And all he wants to do is talk about the standing orders that he was part of the former government that introduced those standing orders, introduced them, when they had a massive 78 seat majority. "They are the rules that have applied. They introduced them and they were operational during the last term of the government and they will remain during this term of government. "Let's also be very clear that no one can impede a member's right to vote. If they do so, it is a contempt of the parliament.

"Have a look at Neil Laurie's advice. The Clerk has provided advice on this very matter." Mr Springborg said he was still happy to work with the government to change the standing orders, so the parties would be aware of Mr Gordon's vote, before their own was recorded, but the Premier refused. "You can not have it both ways," he said. "You can not say one day that Billy Gordon should resign from parliament, that you are prepared to put your premiership on the line, but then a week later turn around and say you are happy to accept his vote."

But while Ms Palaszczuk said she was "comfortable to continue to govern in the best interests of all Queenslanders, no matter where they live", she said she was not changing her attitude to Mr Gordon.

When announcing she was seeking his expulsion, Ms Palaszczuk had said she was "appalled, shocked and sick to my stomach" he had "lied" to her. "I have said very clearly what my preference was," she said on Wednesday. "I was alarmed at the fact that full disclosure was not given to me and Billy Gordon is no longer a member of the state parliamentary Labor team, he is no longer a member of the Queensland branch of the Labor Party. "These matters are now a matter for Billy Gordon and his electorate. "I am going to govern this state as if I have a majority of 20 and that is what my Cabinet is committed to doing."

Mr Springborg said there was "no need for a general election" and the LNP would not push for one, nor would it attempt a no confidence motion because it respected the view of Queenslanders at the last election as well as the parliament. But he said Queensland now had its "own version of the Craig Thompson affair". "What we have seen from this government is the triumph of expediency over ethics, we have seen now convenience over credibility," he said. "Only last week we had the Premier of Queensland saying that Billy Gordon wasn't a suitable person to be in state parliament. "Today she is more than happy to accept his vote. So we have seen extraordinary hypocrisy with regards to this by this government in the last week to 10 days."

Mr Gordon will no longer have his place on the Agriculture and Environment Parliamentary Committee, which comes with a $23,000 pay increase. Ms Palaszczuk said he would not serve as a government representative on the committee.