SINCE the election, Premier Christy Clark has been talking a lot about restraint.
She's opined on the need to contain costs and preached the gospel of fiscal discipline.
Don't ask the government for money, is the message being sent. Because the answers will be "No, no and no."
Turns out, however, that while all animals are equal, some are more equal than others - particularly Clark's loyal party insiders.
No sooner had the premier finished telling everyone they'd need to tighten their belts and suck it up, than it was revealed she'd wasted little time cushioning the blows for some favoured bureaucrats.
Some of her political staff will see their salary caps jump to $230,000. Raises range from 18 per cent to 60 per cent for the elite, who helped Clark pull off her stunning election victory.
Ministerial assistants will also see their maximum salaries go up to $105,000 - a raise of 11 per cent.
Politically, it's undoubtedly smart to make such a cynical move as early as possible. The increases will soon be eclipsed by the budget, which itself will soon fall prey to the summer break and general political amnesia.
But the pay hikes are no less offensive.
At a time when a "core review" threatens civil service cuts and seniors in extended care homes are being charged for wheelchairs, it behooves those at the top to set an example.
Instead, Clark has made it clear just who will be experiencing restraint and who will be practising business as usual.
