Government patronage in Australia : the exercise of the patronage prerogative by Commonwealth and New South Wales governments in the period 1927-1969

Abstract

Noting that the earliest sense of the word 'patron' in English use is 'one who holds the right of presentation to an ecclesiastical benefics', the Shorter Oxford Dictionary defines patronage as ' the control of appointments to offices, privileges, etc., in the public service'. In similar vein, but extending the span of attention beyond the public service, H. A. Bone has declared that 'patronage is the right vested in a person, official, or political party to appoint persons to offices and positions, to award contracts, and to dispose of emoluments and other favours'.