Howard unveils hospital takeover - ABC News

This is indeed the mark of a politician who smells the stench of defeat on the winds. Yet again, Howard takes to the hustings with pork barrel in tow shelling out largesse in the fervent hope that someone, somewhere will think better of him. There is a far more sinister bent to this piece of desperation, that being the ease with which Howard moves into the areas of responsibility of the States with not so much as a 'by-your-leave', in order that he might look good to a small minority of voters in a marginal seat.

This is a dangerous move from a struggling Prime Minister who clearly believes that he can, and should do just as he sees fit in order to retain a grip on power, whatever the cost. In this case, $45m per annum. So much for Federalism.