Tony Bates was only a week into his new job at Victoria’s Department of Premier and Cabinet when he was asked to help fix a long-running headache for the government of the day. As a newly minted deputy secretary for the department’s governance, policy and coordination division, Bates’ efficacy in resolving enterprise bargaining negotiations with the United Firefighters Union had proved his value to the Labor government. Ultimately, the top Victorian public servant may have been a bit too successful in faithfully serving then-premier Daniel Andrews and carrying out any and all duties as directed by his political masters.