Public service must be ready for the unexpected, writes James Whelan.

NSW Treasurer Mike Baird’s promise to retrench 5,000 public servants should be no surprise for those familiar with Liberal party attitudes and policy.

Without support, rationale or cost-effectiveness, this approach to the public service will remove agencies “capacity to innovate and experiement, to plan to meet community needs in the future or to prepare for times of crisis and increased demand”.

While driving on bald tyres is one way to save money, the public sector must be innovative and have the institutional capacity to be “prepared for the unexpected”, such as the flooding and fires and Global Financial Crisis.

To read James’ full article, click here.