What a summer. Fire, floods, terrorism, sharks, and political pestilence, all when Canberra’s public servants traditionally frolic on NSW south-coast beaches with nary a care in the world. Now, the first turbulent month of 2026 is almost finished, and a host of changes at the top of the Australian Public Service are underway. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as turning a new leaf for the APS, because its past mistakes tend to linger like the odour of rotting undergrowth.