This is a very different article to thsoe I normally write. Instead of many comments, I have got none. Perhaps I should have done an article on Sex and the ATO, or capitalism and the ATO. (I could write one on the latter, actually).

But I think the points are valid, and not just confined to the ATO.

The Rudd Government's "efficiency" dividend is a disaster across the federal bureaucracy.

The lack of strategic thinkers in the public service and elsewhere is a well established fact.

The increase in work hours (destroying work/life balance) among Australian workers is well documented.

I think these are issues worthy of debate.

What exactly were you expecting, Passy?

>>Instead of many comments, I have got none.<<

If I wanted to hear someone whinge about their job, the shortsightedness of their management, the lack of "work/life balance" and the pathetic pay levels, I can walk down to the pub, any day of the week.

Most often, it is timeserving, clockwatching, RDOing, three-months-maternity-leaving, bloated-pensioned public servants who do the moaning. And they all want me to pay for their "increased pay, proper job structuring and clearer prospects and rapid promotion", as if it is some kind of god-given right.

And somehow, they always manage to get to the pub ahead of me.

If you want to understand about low pay, long hours, zero recognition, oppressive regulatory environment and a complete absence of "life/work balance", Passy, try starting and running your own business.

You might even form a different view of the "experience, expertise and wise heads" that you claim exist within the ATO.

So, don't be too surprised that you don't get a reaction here on OLO.

At least at the pub I can get a beer.

Thanks Pericles. I suspect you would think slashing the public service by 50% might be a good idea. No buses, trains, hospitals, schools, tax collectors etc.

Your stereotype of public servants is inaccurate. When I took over one area some staff had leave of over 10 weeks annual leave and weeks of time off in lieu accumulated.

As to work conditions, what about employees in small business? How are they treated? If you as an owner have such bad work conditions, how about staff in SMEs? (That is a question, not a comment.)

Actually this wasn't supposed to be a whinge. It was a letter of love, unrequited no doubt, to the ATO.

I was referring to the tone of your article Passy, as you very well know.

All other inferences - that I would slash the public service, or that I perceive all public servants as stereotypes - are your own.

And my staff are extremely happy, thanks for asking.

Being in such short supply, they get above-average pay and perks, and are generally treated like the gold-dust that they are. Since they will always have the alternative to work in a larger company with greater job security, you really have to make that extra effort.

Of course, it helps when they have such a great boss.

Who doesn't whinge.

Pericles

You argue you don't stereotype public servants but write:

"Most often, it is timeserving, clockwatching, RDOing, three-months-maternity-leaving, bloated-pensioned public servants who do the moaning."

Looks like stereotyping to me. Of course private enterprise is always more efficient - telstra, the banks etc come to mind.

Maybe the problem is alienation under capitalism.

And you also say:

"If I wanted to hear someone whinge about their job, the shortsightedness of their management, the lack of "work/life balance" and the pathetic pay levels, I can walk down to the pub, any day of the week."

Ah, but what eloquent whingeing, quoting Wilde, Mao and reaching Obama like heights in rhetoric. (Or maybe I am just full of myself.)

Then again, my drinking mates are pretty eloquent, witty, charming, and political too. So maybe you are right - maybe the pub is a good place for such discussions. But it shouldn't be the only place for such debate.

Yes you wonder how government departments that were running efficiently could continue to provide the same services if they have to comply with the across the board efficiency cuts of 3.5%.
So now the Tax Office runs ads to scare us into compliance because they don't have the resources to check compliance
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has reduced the size of its population survey making the "unemployment statistics" look even more ridiculous.
Its a pity that you think that public servants who have worked for the government since they are 18 or 21 shouldn't retire at 54 years 11 months. Like people employed in private industry, after a 3 month holiday, they should be able to return to work - if that's what they want. Oops perhaps Pericles wouldn't like his employees to feel cheated by public service conditions being better.