Woman confronts PM over carbon 'lies'

Spruiking politics in public can be a risky business but Prime Minister Julia Gillard, way behind in the polls and fighting for her political life, was prepared to take the risk today.

While Opposition Leader Tony Abbott was at a forum of hand-picked supporters in Melbourne, Ms Gillard braved a Brisbane shopping centre and took pot luck as she continued to promote the carbon price scheme.
Mostly, it all went well. Michael and David were very pleased to meet her. Others thanked her for coming to Queensland. Young Conor was in the hairdressers "getting a Justin Bieber thing happening".
It couldn't last. Ms Gillard was approached by a middle-aged woman who had been told by one of the Prime Minister's minders that "no-one has asked about the carbon tax".
The woman was angry – and had a question about the carbon tax alright.
"Why did you lie to us?" she asked.
"And why are you continuing to lie and say, 'Well, I didn't really mean to lie'?"
Strong words - and Ms Gillard said she could explain, but the woman was not really interested in explanations.
"I've listened to you for months, I've watched Parliament - and you are still lying," the woman said.
Ms Gillard has never really been comfortable admitting that she was forced into the carbon tax by the Greens in return for their support for her minority government and support for a climate change program.
So she just said she "didn't foresee we'd have a hung Parliament".
Later, the Prime Minister was defended by others as a woman cried out: "You have no mandate!"
A shouting match broke out as another woman defended Ms Gillard: "She does have a mandate, she has our mandate".
The election may be more than two years away, but the campaign is already under way.