ICAC is definitely not welcome in SA

The reason why an ICAC is not welcomed by the current South Australian government is because of the way that business is conducted there.

An ICAC type organisation would result in a significant change to the political landscape if the current nice and cozy arrangments were to change - because there is currently a huge political advantage to an incumbent government.

Most issues of significance in South Australia are transacted between members of the "Old Boys Club" who get together at their venue of choice - often the Adelaide Club - discuss the matter at hand and with a wink a nod and a funny handshake end up with a solution that satisfies them and their vested interests.

This is always how business has been done in Adelaide. Forget due process, due diligence, tenders and evaluations, rigorous assessments or an oversight process. The way that everything works there is on the basis of semi formal discussions between vested interests - culminating in a happy ending - for some.

It’s how;

* key government appointments are made.
* significant tenders and contracts are awarded.
* major development approvals are decided.
* significant financial decisions are made.

Imagine how an ICAC type organisation would deal with this - and you will understand why it won’t ever exist?

PS: I stand corrected - apparently it’s only the privileged who frequent the Adelaide Club and anyway they are mostly from the conservative side of politics.

But my story still stands. When the Conservatives are in power, their "old boys" do their deals over a glass of Grange at the Adelaide Club. When Labor is in power, their "old boys" do their deals over a beer at the Port Adelaide Football Club - or someplace similar.

Same thing just a different venue - both sides want us to believe that this is democracy in action.