There is something disquieting about the horse trading to secure the vote of those who hold the balance of power in the Australian Federal parliament.
One of the four - Andrew Wilkie - has declared in favour of the Labor party and it has been disclosed that the ageing Royal Hobart hospital will be given a huge injection of funds for refurbishment.
It happens that Hobart is the centre of Mr Wilkie's electorate and that hospital probably does need work - but then so do a host of other hospitals scattered across most Australian cities. It could be inferred that this promise is merely a bribe to help Mr Wilkie make a decision.
No doubt there are many promises flowing from both sides of politics to secure the votes of Bob Katter, Tony Windsor and Rob Oakshott.
Nobody can blame the four independents from seeking improvements to their electorates following their good fortune in gaining the balance of power, but we frown on sporting teams that cheat and hide player overpayments - and teams that throw matches for betting rewards. Surely holding the treasury to ransom in providing treasure is a similar form of corruption ?
Whatever colour of government emerges from this round of horse trading will surely have about it a stench that will take a long time to go away.
Well said! Did someone move the ethical white line when I wasn't looking?
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