Public servants have more responsibilities while on the clock; they're not just like any other job. They're representatives of both the state and the public.

Having clips shared online out-of-context with misleading captions is a negative consequence of the current state of media. I think it would fall under misinformation, or even libel or harassment, depending on severity; but good luck chasing down all the reposts.

Reducing transparency to fix this one specific problem isn't a good solution. I don't know what the good solution actually is, though.

I just reckon ppl should be more respectful and remember these guys are just moving at the whims of the government of the day.

The APS should probably command more respect in general, sone very bright people work there and they manage good work despit constant meddling.

However many department heads have quite a bit of leeway in how they carry out their brief and shaping the desires of a minister is not hugely difficult. Nobody is reading past the first paragraph of the executive summary of the report.

Plus despite pretending to be they are not apolitical creatures.

Accountability is necessary, and everyone could stand to be laughed at more.

The secretaries board – made up of the heads of government departments and chaired by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet boss, Steven Kennedy

The people who are asking for this are partisans, not regular employees of departments.

The people they seek to protect don't need protecting. You'll notice that this isn't coming from CPSU members, it's coming from the bosses.