Unseemly

Last month, the government finally passed legislation restoring the outdated title of "Queen's Council" to the legal profession. The first person it rewards with this title? Their own Attorney-General, Chris Finlayson.

While Finlayson is a long-standing lawyer, its more than a little unseemly. In the status-conscious world of the law, this title is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. Putting your Ministers first in line to receive such a gift makes it look like you are abusing your public office to reward your mates - and that such appointments are going to be made on cronyism, not merit.