To most members of the public, a public servant who takes off time to campaign for a member of a political party demonstrates a conflict of interest.

It seems the lines have been blurred in the past couple of decades.

It is time to make the boundaries quite clear. For the sake of the public servants as well as for the public they serve.

The Australian Government has been known to blacklist employees for life, particularly for past security concerns.

Fortunately the US Government has proven more tolerant to some of those blacklisted.

Even the many Public Servants in Canberra who now fear for their jobs (due to budget politics) should sympathise with Darrell Morris.

But not too loudly of course...

Pete

That is complete rubbish Jennifer.

Every Public Servant has political views, and like anybody else can be active in a political party. This is part of the democratic process. Are you also saying that they shouldn't be allowed to vote? That is the logical extension of your argument.

Being in a political party can be problematic if a Public Servant reaches a level where they can actually make policy decisions. In these cases I could accept that there may be a conflict of interest, but for the vast majority of Public Servants (99%) they implement Departmental and Government policy. They don't have a choice in this, it's what they are paid to do

Just to clear up some points.

Federal Public Servants are actively discouraged from taking part in Party activities (eg. Branch Meetings and many other activities).

Public Servants, who are openly political, frequently feel forced to resign if there is a change of government away from their own preference.

Public Servants, even at junior levels, take part in formulating and sometimes representing their Minister's policies - But they are still discouraged from getting involved in Party machinery - especially the Opposition's.

Planta

I work with a number of openly political people in my department and also in other departments previously. None of them have felt the need to resign as a result of their political affiliations. One of them is a very active member of a party and simply makes sure she does not put herself in a position that would casue trouble. This is the main challenge. We all have to represent the views of our departments when going about our daily work. None of us has a problem with this. If we did, we would not be working in the Public Service. It is simply a matter of separting your personal views from your professional work.

All of us, myself included, have filled in Conflict of Interest forms that detail any actual or perceived conflicts of interest and how we intend to manage them.

Depends which Departments not to mention regulatory Statutory Authorities.