...Taxpayers aside, the major financial supporters of [political] parties include merchant banks, gambling proprietors, property developers, construction companies, military contractors, pharmaceutical giants, private health and child-care operators and tobacco companies. All have a vested interest in keeping politicians onside...

Are our politicians for sale? from The Age, May 24.

Hmm... that doesn't go a long way to reassure me that our political parties are making the best, most unbiased, non-purchased decisions...