Independent MP Helen Haines has a plan to stamp out pork-barrelling. Would it work?

Independent MP for Indi Helen Haines has introduced a private member’s bill to crack down on pork-barrelling. Haines has argued that pork-barrelling is happening right now ahead of the Dunkley by-election on March 2, where Labor is splashing out money hoping to retain the seat.

Without government or opposition support, the bill is unlikely to pass. But it puts the issue of pork-barrelling in the public eye. So would the proposed measures work?

How common is pork-barrelling in Australia?

Pork-barrelling involves governments channelling public funds to seats they hold and wish to retain, or seats they would like to win from an opponent, as a way of winning voters’ favour.