There are so many stories like this.

Maybe Grech is just one of these - just one sad, disturbed little man with a litany of poor excuses for doing something every career public servant knows is totally unacceptable, way beyond the bounds of the APS values and code of conduct, the public service act.

Grech must have been ambitious - no-one gets to Exec level in the APS without overweening ambition and a bit of backstabbing killer instinct. Already at Exec level 1, the system is self selecting for people who will twist the rules to their own purposes, who are willing to set themselves apart from their peers. If the minister wants a certain ‘spin’ on things - well, they know how to get things done - the right tone, the way you set out policy options, the selective use of supporting data “crunch it until you come up with the right number”. Forget fearless and frank - the SES ministerial ratings and bonus system did away with that decades ago.
And the execs work so hard. There is no upper limit on the hours they’ll put in. Gradually they cease to be people, become operatives of the department. It has it’s intrinsic rewards. Thanks and smiles from the most powerful in the land, the political masters. It must be wonderful for them to bask in the light of ministerial approbation. The money is good but the acknowledgement - makes you a star performer.

Then comes the darkness, a change of government. No limelight, no warmth. Our gollum has lost his precious thing. What won’t he do to win back some of that?

Yes, it’s almost certainly overwork and health related. The kamikaze call “Banzai” comes to mind too. Means something like “ten thousand years” or “long life” and when you are flying your fighter plane into a battleship surely is meant with great irony.

For those who missed it, crikey carried his grim health profile yesterday from the Auditor’s report. Health so bad it’s a day to day proposition. And as they say on Radio National depression is a way of your body telling you, get the f*ck out, change the programme, and do it now. If you don’t it’s the little bunny rabbit for you: That’s all folks!

It is to the detriment of the fragile flower, AKA ‘Democracy’ that the press, the general public and members of the heirarchies in each of these three arms of government have forgotten the reasons why it is essential we respect and do our best to retain the highest level of integrity if we are employed as a business person/lawyer/public servant/member of an Australian parliament.

Sure, some of us may consider Mr Gretch as a very sad case, seeking attention (who cares why); however he would have been fully apprised of the Australian Public Service Code of Conduct when he initially signed on at Treasury (An aside: who has been conducting GG’s performance appraisals these past years?). If he is ill, let him get appropriate medical care; and if there are cracks regarding probity and professional conduct in Treasury, let the cultural change begin (is this a horrific one-off event?); if our public servants, business heads, judiciary and politicians don’t lead the way to something our children (and we) can be proud of; then only we can demand a big change by:
- reviewing who we may traditionally vote for;
- demanding changes in APS induction and performance indicators (an easy one for the press to pursue in this current climate);
- keep the businesses/lobbyists as honest as possible - boycott those you don’t trust by not putting your $ their way; and
- read some history to learn how this sad saga may have been avoided!

I may be dreadfully old fashioned but can’t overstate how necessary I feel it is time for a change to how such scandals shame the memories of those people who worked hard and fought for good and positive change in Australian Democracy. We have only recently commenced some peace with our indigenous Australians; let’s make it a country that is admired, not ridiculed.

PS: Quidditch brooms required for some quick cleaning!

If an MP had this kind of meltdown they’d be wishing the MP and his family well recognising long years of service etc. But Rudd and Turnbull are so full of themselves - their followers so cowered - no one is game enough to come forward and say what a wretched situation Grech is in.

I feel vindicated in how I brought my kids up re telling lies. Tell me the truth and I can’t guarantee that you still won’t be in trouble - but tell me lies??? And the sky will fall in? I will be decidedly unimpressed! I’m pleased to say that they were pretty good with the truth. Perhaps Grech needed a mum like me? (I reckon I still have ‘the gift’ though? Picking giant fibbers? I bet Turnbull was telling porkies at his press conference yesterday - I groaned?)

I think the role played by Abetz and Turnbull was a disgrace, and the Senate should take action against them. All this to bring down the PM? Don’t they take an oath when they’re sworn in as Members/Senators? Why do they say prayers at the beginning of each question time? Then go ahead and act like bastards - dishonest ones at that? How about Abbott’s interview on the 7.30 Report? Toady little person!

Whether he now is sick is immaterial - presumably he looked and felt OK when the Opposition were courting his involvement in this shabby affair and he was enjoying the attention. Having been exposed, nationally and publicly, it is perhaps not surprising that he now feels a little sick.

Quite possibly, the only real damage that has been done is to Mr Grech’s own reputation. On the bright side, Fairfax, News and company probably sold a few papers on the back of this tale, thus becoming the only winners.

Quite sad, really.