A damning new report has laid bare the extent of cronyism within Australia's political system, finding the practice of appointing allies to taxpayer-funded positions is widespread and systemic. The revelations come on a day of significant policy shifts, including a landmark ban on non-consensual medical interventions on intersex children in the state of Victoria.
Systemic Cronyism Exposed in Political Appointments
The Centre for Public Integrity's analysis, released on Monday, scrutinised over 1,400 appointments made by federal and state governments between 2013 and 2024. Its findings are stark: one in five appointees had a direct political connection to the government making the appointment. This practice, colloquially known as 'jobs for mates', was found to be entrenched across the political spectrum.
The report highlights that these politically connected individuals were overwhelmingly appointed to highly paid roles, with 70% of the positions offering salaries exceeding $200,000. Furthermore, the system showed a distinct lack of transparency, with 80% of these appointments made without a public merit-based selection process. The Centre's chair, Anthony Whealy KC, condemned the culture, stating it undermines public trust and risks installing underqualified individuals in critical roles.
Victoria Leads with Pioneering Intersex Rights Legislation
In a separate but equally significant development, the Victorian parliament passed historic legislation to protect the rights of intersex individuals. The new law, which received bipartisan support, prohibits deferrable medical interventions performed on intersex children without their personal consent.
The ban, a first for Australia, targets surgical and hormonal treatments for variations in sex characteristics that can safely be postponed until the individual is old enough to participate in the decision. Advocates from Intersex Human Rights Australia hailed the move as a crucial step toward bodily autonomy, ending decades of medically unnecessary procedures performed on infants and children. The law includes strong oversight mechanisms and will come into effect in mid-2026.
International Pressure and Domestic Fallout
The day's news also carried a major international development, with former US President Donald Trump issuing a stark ultimatum to Venezuela. From his Mar-a-Lago estate, Trump declared that if he wins the upcoming presidential election, he will recognise the opposition leader as the country's legitimate president within 90 days of taking office, unless the current government holds what he deems 'acceptable' elections.
Back in Australia, the cronyism report is expected to intensify calls for reform. Experts warn that the pervasive 'jobs for mates' culture not only wastes public funds but also corrodes the effectiveness of vital institutions. The Victorian government's decisive action on intersex rights, meanwhile, sets a powerful precedent that other states are now under pressure to follow, marking a pivotal moment for human rights and medical ethics in the country.
