The public service is integral to the delivery of a stable democratic Australia.
As a proud public servant (17 years) it pains me when the service and it’s dedicated employees are denigrated by the government of the day for political gain.
The constant refrain that the private sector can do the job better coupled with the drive for greater productivity has undermined the commission of public servants. The increased demand on the remaining public service (driven by a growing and ageing population) has not been met by commensurate funding increases. The result is fewer public servants with more to do, inevitably this results in a deterioration of service. The declining level of service delivery increases the level of discontent and resentment towards the public service and by extension the government of the day.
The Australian public service is highly undervalued, and a devalued public services no longer commands community respect. The continued and sustained public denigration of the service has resulted in a community highly suspicious and antagonistic towards public servants.
The public service and public servants should be held in high regard. Public service should be a chosen career path that people aspire to. This is not the case as public servants are generally considered as a drain on funding and waste of time and space.
It would be timely if the government began the task of repairing the reputation of the public service- perhaps if politicians behaved in accordance with the APS code it would build trust in government and by extension the public service.
Public servants should not be prohibited from running from public office, after all who better to run and administer government?