Canberra and government need to set a good example, but not the ABS one

Comments on ABC news report “ABS ordered to stop job cuts” on IRC ruling, 6/05/2009, on http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/06/2561896.htm?section=justin

First let me say that I have read all the comments on this report in this site so far and I agree with them, some with sympathy.

I think the behaviour of the ABS management in handling the job culling was a disgrace and distasteful by Australian standard, given that the IRC has made its ruling under even the existing and more stringent laws. They were incomprehensible and inhuman as a public agency, especially statistical agency which gathers and knows a lot of information, right? Wrong!

Secondly, yes Canberra is the seat of federal government with many bureaucratic agencies, including insensitive ones like this one, from time to time. It is understandable that people in other places may have strong feelings about Canberra. Yes jobs may be safer in Canberra, but only sometimes. One may not forget what happened in Canberra in 1996/97 when the Howard government culled many public service jobs and caused the housing market in Canberra a downturn contrary to most other cities in Australia at that time.

So Canberra both benefit and suffer as the nation’s Capital. While I have sympathy for those who have strong feelings against it, I can also understand the pains suffered by individual Canberrans when they become victims that were not their own faults. Further, the public, no matter where they are, are the public, maybe one should direct his/her anger directly to whoever deserves, like possibly some politicians, if that is why some members of the public are cynical about Canberra. Most ordinary people in Canberra, just like most others in other cities, only do their jobs, though they somewhat unfortunately happen to be public servants. To be fair to them, those jobs are open to everyone in Australia.

Government agencies should display strong public ethics and professionalism in conducting its own work, setting examples for the society. That is what they are paid for and that is what they should and must do. Otherwise those who don’t should be sacked themselves or by the government/public. There should be accountability and the public should enforce it.