The state funeral planned for former Federal Labor Minister and Territory Opposition Leader Bob Collins has naturally angered many. After all, but for his death, the man would be before the courts this week listening to allegations about improper s-xual behaviour.

Putting the alleged child molester in to the ground with all the pomp and ceremony that Governments can muster, is a real slap in the face for those who claim to have been mistreated by the former Senator. It does seem to be a bit sick and no doubt the Collins family could have done without the controversy just as much as the victims.

But the problem is very much the making of our politicians. State funerals started out in Britain as a ritual to allow the common people to mourn the loss of kings and queens and only rarely was a commoner so honoured. My research indicates that Horatio Nelson, First Viscount Nelson qualified for one in 1806, followed by Arthur Wellesley, First Duke of Wellington in 1852. In 1865 Henry Temple, the Third Viscount Palmerston, was so honoured, followed by The Rt Hon William Gladstone (1898). Benjamin Disraeli, First Earl of Beaconsfield, was offered the honour but refused it.

In Australia the politicians have made them a two a penny event as if the payment of funeral expenses is the last perk of office for every politician of any note. Back in September last year Crikey commented that Prime Minister John Howard seemed keen to expand the criteria for awarding state funerals by arranging one for the late Kerry Packer.

“I think it is appropriate on occasions that people other than former Ministers of the Crown be honoured with state funerals,” Mr Howard said in January when announcing one for the late Kerry Packer.

“I think Kerry Packer was a remarkable business and media figure in this country, and if we are to have a broad view of the life of this country, we ought to honour business figures from time to time as well as sporting, political and military figures.”

Up in Queensland Premier Peter Beattie puzzled some of his Labor colleagues when he arranged a state funeral for Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen, a politician who presided over widespread corruption. There was no criticism for offering one to the crocodile hunter Steve Irwin.

The Victorian Premier Steve Bracks confirmed that the political leadership of Australia sees votes or something in the funeral business when he decided the racing car driver Peter Brock should be honoured with a state funeral.

Perhaps the backlash over the State burying Collins will put an end to the whole silly state funeral business.