End pork-barrelling

Mr Howard's political stunt in relation to the Mersey Hospital in Devonport is a double-whammy exercise in pork-barrelling.

The marginal seat situation in any close election invites political leaders of both major parties to engage in largesse which has nothing to do with economic or health responsibility.

If, in this particular case, the situation allows the PM to rubbish an ALP State in the process the temptation becomes irresistible.

What really matters here is the cause of this opportunism: it is the single-member electoral district.

In other words, Australia's dominant electoral system is the problem as it the problem for so many other political system deficiencies, including the two-party system itself.

Yes, this appears to be a taboo subject for discussion in Australia.

Pork-barrelling is a widespread, costly malpractice at most elections.

It is a scourge that can only be avoided by changing the electoral system to proportional representation with multi-member electorates.

Klaas Woldring Pearl Beach