Thread: Are public servants allowed to lie?

Ombudsman, Local Politician, Media, Crime and Corruption Commission for your state and choose depending on nature of your case and how hard you want to sting.

The Peter Principle is the mechanism by which all Public Servants progress up the career ladder. (Note: The Peter Principle prescribes that a person is promoted to their level of incompetency). Bearing this in mind it is fair to say that Public Servants don't lie (except when they are instructed to by their masters - the politicians) it is just that being an Assistant Commissioner, he/she has reached the zenith of their career and are totally ignorant of the truth of the matter - in fact, any matter for that matter. So the best you can hope for is to make public what the public already knows; that, fear not, the Peter Principle is alive and well in Queensland.

Mick you have hit the brick wall if you try using the government set up bodies to deal with this
The only answer is a JOHN LAWS type show , applying to the ombudsman or the self regulated type ways will only leave you frustrated beyond belief as they all cover each others a$$es
How far are you willing to go with this if all the way try the Radio and TV's current affairs it will cost you a lot of time and effort, but if it is worth it to you go for it

Mick,

I agree with Ashore. An indication of how seriously the Queensland government wants to be subject to accountability is the recent legislation exempting Ministers from criminal liability, if they are found to have lied in Parliament.

Moreover, the history of the experiences of whistleblowers is profoundly discouraging. In the light of this, you might want to consider whether you have too much to lose if you become one.

Rocker (who was once a public servant)

In Vic the situation used to be placed back on the person in question, eg: on one occassion a member of the public wrote a letter of complaint to the Director General about my handling of a matter (unfounded but besides the point).
The DG then sent this letter to me to draft a reply, which I did, outlining what a conscientious individual I was and how out of character this appeared, this response was then typed up by the DG's secretary on his letter head, signed by him and sent.
End of story, and I doubt the DG even read the letter or the response.

Originally Posted by Shedhand

The Peter Principle is the mechanism by which all Public Servants progress up the career ladder. (Note: The Peter Principle prescribes that a person is promoted to their level of incompetency). Bearing this in mind it is fair to say that Public Servants don't lie (except when they are instructed to by their masters - the politicians) it is just that being an Assistant Commissioner, he/she has reached the zenith of their career and are totally ignorant of the truth of the matter - in fact, any matter for that matter. So the best you can hope for is to make public what the public already knows; that, fear not, the Peter Principle is alive and well in Queensland.

In plain speak this means,

Don't waste yer time worrying Mick coz nuthin will happen.

journeyman Mick

Heads he wins, tails you loose.

Keep the paperwork in a safe place for any future enquiry and get back to your wood work.

Not worth the effort or pain you will suffer.
It is all part of their job.

Mick,

Since you are already suffering, there's no point in holding back!

A clear letter to the Crime and Misconduct Commission claiming Misconduct (that is important to separate it from all the other punters with their blanket claim), setting out your evidence clearly is your one shot.

Don't expect any result, but a small investigation will get under the skin of the miscreant.

At the same time send a SIMILAR (not identical) letter to the ombudsman with a copy to your local member (hand delivered at an interview if possible), implying that the misconduct needs to be investigated.

Your aim is not to win, just to cause grief. Don't forget at the end of the day, if you apply enough pressure, the turkey will end up on indefinite stress leave, and you don't want to push him that far.... just keep him annoyed not stressed enough to get leave!~

Stalk him/her/it with paperwork!

Cheers,

P

Lying seems to be acceptable at all levels of government, from the very top down.

I think it's more than just accepted, it's a job requirement ... the higher up you are, the better liar you need to be.

You won't find that you'll get anywhere unless you have the lie recorded and or it was written down by the liar. If they lied to you in the beginning they'll lie to whom ever conducts any sort of investigation brought on by you and say they never said and that you are the liar...

Whether you can prove it or not, if it's someone you may have to do business with in the future or thier colleagues it maybe best to let it go. Cause they will remember you and be even less inclined to help in the future. In fact they maybe more on the vengeful side.

Speaking as a former MP I just thought of another tack. Find out who the Minister responsible for this turkey is and contact the Minister's senior media adviser (or the Government media office) and tell them your story. Give them 48 hours (2 days) to get back to you with a satisfactory response or you'll go to the media.
Believe me mate if the issue has the potential to embarrass the government and/or the Minister they will cr@p themselves and do something about it.
Been there, done that.
The first meeting of the day for any Minister worth their salt is with their Senior media adviser to discuss what issues may or have already arisen which needs action or spin.
Cheers

Originally Posted by Shedhand

Speaking as a former MP I just thought of another tack. Find out who the Minister responsible for this turkey is and contact the Minister's senior media adviser (or the Government media office) and tell them your story. Give them 48 hours (2 days) to get back to you with a satisfactory response or you'll go to the media.
Believe me mate if the issue has the potential to embarrass the government and/or the Minister they will cr@p themselves and do something about it.
Been there, done that.
The first meeting of the day for any Minister worth their salt is with their Senior media adviser to discuss what issues may or have already arisen which needs action or spin.
Cheers

sorry, this is Queensland, the gov here seems impervious/uncaring/unwilling to act with all embarrassing issues regardless of how serious...

Originally Posted by womble

sorry, this is Queensland, the gov here seems impervious/uncaring/unwilling to act with all embarrassing issues regardless of how serious...

Wrong side of the election, I guess.