Findings of a culture of fear, timidity and secrecy within the Victorian public service point to a deep cancer that must be frankly addressed by ministers.
If the Victorian Ombudsman’s findings that a “culture of fear”, “creeping politicisation” and “over responsiveness” are threatening good government sound familiar, then you are right.
As veteran ombudsman Deborah Glass observed, numerous reports – most recently the searing robo-debt royal commission – have revealed that public servants are far too ready to do the bidding of governments of the day, no matter their colour.
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Tom Burton has held senior editorial and publishing roles with The Mandarin, The Sydney Morning Herald and as Canberra bureau chief for The Australian Financial Review. He has won three Walkley awards. Connect with Tom on Twitter. Email Tom at tom.burton@afr.com
