Australians have always though of those employed in the public service as working in the interest of all Australians in a apolitical way, without favouring one side of politics or the other, no personal agenda, no partisan politics. This particularly applied to those bureaucrats at the top of the ladder, people like the $900k a year, and long time head of the Home affairs Department, Michael Pezzullo. Pezzullo has been unceremoniously sacked for what was revealed as blatant partisan politics in favour of the Coalition. An independent inquiry found Pazzullo had breached the government’s code of conduct at least 14 times, including using his power for personal benefit. He failed to act apolitically, failed to disclose a conflict of interest and failed to maintain confidentiality of sensitive government information. The inquiry also found Pezzullo engaged in “gossip and disrespectful critique” of ministers and other public servants.

For me, this should send a clear message to the conservative side of politics, you are not born to rule, and when the people have spoken, get the message you're out on your 'A' and don't try to use a lackey like Pezzullo in an attempt to undermine the democratically elected Labor government.

No. We can have no confidence in the public service, which is increasing under the Marxists.

All this bollocks about an 'independent public service'!

The public service is not meant to be independent; it is meant to do as it us told by the elected representatives of the people.

I haven't read the story yet.

Paul stated "He failed to act apolitically"
ttbn stated "The public service is not meant to be independent; it is meant to do as it us told by the elected representatives of the people."

Should Paul have instead said "He failed to BE apolitical"
- Given that his job is loyalty to the elected government, whichever one that may be, and he cannot have or allow any of his own political biases to stand in the way or carrying out directives of the elected leaders?

Of course the PS is not meant to act totally independent of government. Its not there to determine policy, that is the domain of the elected MP's, rather they are required to carry out policy/laws as dictated by government. Having said that some arms within the PS, act autonomously of Government, the court system, although publicly funded it must act independent of government, which is a cornerstone of our democracy. The Reserve Banks acts autonomously of government, the ABC charter requires it to act independently, without government political interference.

Pezzullo, was clearly a political hack, acting in the interest of the Liberal Party. I say; Good riddance to bad rubbish!

Argentina has gone from being one of the richest countries in the world to suffering inflation of 140%, thanks to Marxists and the public ‘service’.

The election of Javier Milei as President looks like a good idea but, like everywhere, including Australia, you can change the politicians but not the bureaucrats. The public so-called service is known by some as an “agency problem”. The leaders of these agencies have enormous power - thanks to gutless politicians and brain-dead electorates.

What did this awful 900,000 dollar man of ours and head of Home Affairs get away with before he was nabbed?

In the UK, Suella Braverman, Home Affairs Minister, was sacked by the gutless-wonder, Rishi Sunak because she UPSET THE SAINTED PUBLIC SERVICE.

In Argentina, Milei has a plan to deal with thugs on the public teat - abolish them. Good luck with that. But at least he has the courage to give it a go. There are just too many departments, commissions and quangos with their snouts in the trough, everywhere there's government.

Michael Pezullo has been sacked. He served as
Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs,
a Senior role in the Australian Public Service
from 2017 to 2023. He's been sacked for misusing
his position.

We have a long history of MPs misusing their positions
going back decades. Some get away with it, others get
caught and are humiliated. Still apparently the rewards
are worth it for the people involved.

Can Australian have confidence in the Public Service?
The answer is - yes. Absolutely. We criticize bad
behaviour but there is no shortage of examples of the
great work that is done with considerable impact and
benefit for our citizens and communities.

There's a danger that can manifest itself in the threat
of the continued erosion in trust, capability and
credibili9ty Which is something that needs to be avoided.

According to the 2019 International Civil Service
Effectiveness (InCISE) Index, the Australian Public
Service ranked as the 5th most effective civil
service in the world. The World Bank's measurement
of government's effectiveness places Australia as 9th
especially in health and education.

And why wouldn't anyone want a job with the APS?
There's attractive remuneration packages,
health insurance, retirement plans, paid leave,
career advancement opportunities with higher salaries
and promotions, and so on.

Where would we be without our superb public libraries,
our public schools, our public hospitals, Medicare,
CentreLink, aged care, and much, much, more.

I've experienced some of the services mentioned.

The Rehab services, and the Transition Care Program,
in which I ended up being placed was part of a public hospital.
They - were first class. The staff I dealt with were
also first class. As was the home monitored programs that
followed and the equipment they provided for me.

So if some MP misuses his position and gets caught out -
this is not a reflection on the APS but on him.
And in this case he's been rightly punished.

Of course our system is not perfect. No system ever is.
But we are the envy of many, many countries. And we should
count our blessings.