Upmarket agitprop: Clive James on John Howard on Bob Menzies by Nicholas Gruen | 2 comments Nicholas Gruen reviews a book review by Clive James and ponders the decline of serious debate. He says James joined the culture wars and attacked weaker, dumbed-down versions of opposing views, as expressed by ideological fringe-dwellers.
Keane: after years of decline, who’ll rescue the public service? by Bernard Keane | OPINION: A former Canberra SES gives a stinging assessment of a "toxic mix of incompetence and politicisation" in the federal public service. Is it right, and do the positive signs reflect a turnaround?
Bureaucrat in the ministerial office: career risk or boon? by David Donaldson | 0 comments FEATURE: Thinking of a career switch to the other side of the fence? Drew Clarke and Frances Adamson are the latest in a long line of public servants moving to ministerial offices. But is it a risk to your career?
Tingle: Australia’s legacy of public service wisdom gutted by politicians by Laura Tingle | 1 comment Australia's devaluing of the public service is not just about politicisation — bright young recruits have lost access to the experience of their elders, writes Laura Tingle.
Bad boss? Bureaucrats defend ‘bully’ Rudd by Harley Dennett | 1 comment Nicola Roxon, health minister in the Rudd government, says her boss was abusive to public servants and dismissive of their work. Top officials at the time have a different recollection and Rudd says it wasn't his fault.
The Killing Season: rise of the public servant PM by Harley Dennett | 0 comments To everyday Australians, Kevin Rudd in 2007 was the prototypical image of a public servant: helpful, polite, across the detail of both policy and implementation. Sarah Ferguson's documentary on the Rudd/Gillard years begins with the familiar relationship between minister and secretary, but in extraordinary circumstances.
