American Locker apparently has no patent protection for its meal ticket -- the virtually indestructible plastic postal cluster boxes for housing developments and apartments.

FORBES: Indestructible

The 95 Australian dollar ticket price includes Christmas eggnog, a festive three-course meal and Champagne throughout the evening.

BBC: In Sydney, Christmas in July

Lord Bradshaw, for the Liberal Democrats, welcoming the statement, called for an assurance that the whole project "is not going to become a meal ticket for consultants and various hangers-on".

BBC: Adonis unveils high-speed rail plans in Lords statement

He also made the political blunder, in the special election, of giving away coupons for a free chicken meal to voters who presented their voting-ticket stubs.

ECONOMIST: California politics