[Kharon]

Sometimes the quality of people in public office makes you smile – it so very, very refreshing to see, read and hear of dynamic people, involved in ‘government’ who actually care.   The contrast is self evident, writ large and the article should be sent tp Skidmore, Dolan and ‘what’s his face’ from ASA.

Choc frog to Mr. E, thank you.

Chris Eccles.

This is an edited version of the speech delivered by Chris Eccles to the IPAA Victoria Annual Fellows Dinner on November 18 in Melbourne.

Back in the day when sovereignty rested more with the monarch, all public servants were loyal first and foremost to the Crown, as the expression of executive government. As time moved on, and the powers of the sovereign waned and the powers of the Parliament grew, public servants needed to be more than just servants of the Crown; they became servants of the public as embodied by their elected representatives.

The doctrine of ministerial responsibility requires that public servants are responsible to their minister, and ministers, as elected officials are responsible to the Parliament, and through Parliament, to the people.

Their observation remains true to this day that:
“…Government of the country could not be carried on without the aid of an efficient body of permanent officers, occupying a position duly subordinate to that of the Ministers who are directly responsible to the Crown and to Parliament, yet possessing sufficient independence, character, ability, and experience to be able to advise, assist, and to some extent, influence, those who are from time to time set over them.