I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when I read the piece by Myles Peterson headlined as above on the Fairfax National Times website.
Peterson describes his brief time in the “public service rabbit hole” writing ministerial speeches for the Health Department.
There were whoops of joy in the office when the boss came in and said the section was under budget.
“Oh, so that’s good? You’ve saved money?”
“No, no,” her smile turned to ash as she gave me that pitying look I usually received when I asked a question. “It means training.”
Peterson then recounted attending a conference of dubious relevance, staying in premium accommodation with all expenses paid.
It’s more cringeworthy because it’s the Health Department. If a section can save money for whatever reason, surely it should be channelled into services?
The writer talks about the hierarchy, with the Prime Minister at the pinnacle, followed by his advisers, then ministers and their advisers.
Everyone is expected to be enthralled and active when the PM’s latest thought bubble floats into their personal orbit.
In the Health Department, that meant policy on the run, with websites and marketing materials to promote it.
Peterson wraps up with: “The next time I spend eight hours waiting in emergency, I will be thinking of unused speeches, cancelled events and weeks of wasted organisation and research. I will be thinking of expensive television advertising campaigns and T-shirts and golf balls with little slogans. I will be thinking of websites and a consultation process driven by photography. I will be thinking of training.”
It was a well-written article, entertaining and insightful.
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