The Forum > Article Comments > Evidence please, not more bashing of our public sector > Comments
Evidence please, not more bashing of our public sector : Comments
By James Whelan, published 17/11/2011Surveys show that Australians believe the public service is under-funded and would pay higher taxes to bring it up to best practice.
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Sydney is beset by PPP fiascos, the Airport train line, a multitude of tunnels let alone construction contracts all propped up by the public purse. The Lane Cove tunnel should not benefit from “traffic calming measures” to try to force customers into the tunnel. Let them either win customers or close – that is commerce.
IPA’s criticism is that the Public Service exists. The real criticism should be it has become a play thing of politicians; it exists to make the political masters look good by providing advice. Crean once opined the service exists to provide advice to the minister of the day not serve the public.
The service must have mandates as to what service it is to provide to the public and be given QANGO status to be allowed to get on with the job not be diverted by Ministerial whim. Senior staff’s future must be tied to this, not to short term contracts arbitrated by a politician.
The service does become bloated by middle management. NSW DPI has shrunk by 2/3 yet maintains pretty well the same amount of middle management. That Department also demonstrates the main quality for promotion is sycophancy not competence.
DPI furthermore proves following policies regarding promotions and appointments for other political purposes leads to people who are inept assuming managerial roles. That particular Department, which is representative of all such Departments, now lacks any semblance of credibility or purpose yet the clear community benefit of assuring food security remains.
The Service should be creating value not busily destroying it. IPA’s answer of getting rid of the service won’t solve the community’s need for what the service can achieve. Rebuilding the Service is required.
If commerce is so good why then is the USA going to hell in a hand basket on the back of GFC and all that led to that?