Covenants Vows, Deals

Sydney Morning Herald

Friday December 12, 1997

Now that we are in pre-election mode once again, I would like the Prime Minister's assistance.

It's just a question of words really. Sean Flood (Letters, December 8) highlighted the problem by referring to both the Prime Minister's "covenant" with miners and pastoralists (unbreakable), and his "pledge" to respect the provisions of the Racial Discrimination Act (breakable?). We have also had a vow to "govern for all of us" and an election promise not to cut the funds of the ABC (core? non-core?). Are covenants core and non-core? What about vows and pledges? Are covenants alone unbreakable?

Would the Prime Minister consider having his lexicographer prepare a "Hierarchy of Commitments" at the same time as the policy speech is being drafted so we can discern between covenants, promises, pledges, vows, deals, arrangements, oaths, declarations, bargains, contracts, compacts, agreements, etc?

My incentivation to follow the election closely is fulsome. I just need a little help.

Janet Simpson, December 11

Glebe.