Ok …toddle off then and cast a “vote “ for the honest Johns; that’s sure to fix the problem of the total lack of Democracy.

What we observe is the workings of Corporate Governance. Democracy is dead mate!

Keep on voting though, it’s sure to improve your outlook.

Disagree, dept. heads need to go with change of Government. So, they cannot adversely affect policy. Free and fierce advice is one thing, but politically biased advice is not wanted. Nor running interference.
Alan B.

Sir Humphrey Appleby; "Ministers come and go Bernard, but we shall always be here."

I don’t often agree with Scott, but on this occasion I think he’s right – Australia is moving away from the old Westminster tradition of a permanent, professional, independent, apolitical senior public service providing frank and fearless advice to a more US type system where the senior public service changes with each change of government or even minister. Each system has strengths and weaknesses. Personally I preferred the old school. But if we are to move to a more political system, there should be some process that at least tries to ensure appointees are qualified and competent and not excessively partisan.

There is transparency - you'd want to be an assiduously woke upwards-manager, to get a top gig with Gender Equality Net Zero Albanese.

Comley, who was 2011-2013 Climate Change Secretary under the previous Labor Government, seems to me to be decidedly well qualified.

How on Earth do know-all Academics & those smarter than them from struggle street think that integrity & competence among heads of Public Service Departments can ever be expected to improve to acceptable levels without a National Service ?