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Bailing out for a soft landing
2-October-08
Written by Joe Poprzeczny

IT'S not surprising a clever wordsmith some decades ago suggested using skydiving terminology to colourfully describe an increasingly widespread political practice.

State Scene is, of course, referring to usage of the word 'parachuting' to describe the ploy of plonking (now there's an old-fashioned Aussie word that's no longer in vogue) ideological buddies into what are seen as safe parliamentary seats, or even cushy taxpayer-funded jobs.

This usage came back into vogue in the lead-up to last month's state election because ex-premier Alan Carpenter had earmarked several seats - considered Labor strongholds - for some of his buddies.

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