Gallagher is right that the #APS is in need of massive reform and particularly depoliticisation. But it's disingenuous to lay the entire blame for how it is at the feet of the #Liberals. At least since the Keating Government, #Labour and Liberal both have been guilty of heavily #politicising public administration, particularly the APS and the relationship between Ministers, advisors, the MO, and the public service.
Any #reform needs to come from the top down. From Ministers changing the way they and their offices conduct themselves and their relationship with the #SES.
It also needs to come from the middle - the SES1 and EL levels - where a return to frank and fearless advice must occur. Additionally, these people need wholesale replacement in many cases; they've long worked in toxic relationships with their teams and management and cannot reform (and don't want to).
Do these things, and then, maybe, we'll have a strong APS able to give clear, policy-driven advice with far less politics and malicious culture involved.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/feb/05/labor-says-public-sector-board-review-will-end-jobs-for-mates-culture