The Abbott Government has cleared out any advisors who might provide it with critical advice and replaced them with sycophants, flatterers and ideological fellow travellers. Ian McAuley from the University of Canberra comments (via The Conversation).

IN A DEMOCRACY governments cop criticism — that’s a rule of politics.

Opposition parties and politically-aligned organisations will always exploit opportunities to have a go at the government. But it is particularly irritating for a government when criticism comes from institutions noted for their political independence, and when some of its own agencies don’t seem to be fully on message.

In devaluing public institutions and in trying to quell voices of dissent, the government does itself no favour. It is tempting for Treasurer Hockey to take a swipe at the Bureau of Statistics when it’s rethinking seasonal adjustment. It would be so much more comfortable for the government to see the ABC reduced to broadcasting BBC crime dramas on TV and reports of livestock auction prices on radio. But cutting off bearers of bad news and dissenting voices provides a government no more than a short-term benefit, while entrenching a culture of “groupthink” and an overconfident feeling of infallibility.

Around now the processes leading up to the May 2015 budget will be cranking up. It may be a good time for Abbott and his ministers to get out their copies of Machiavelli’s advice to the Medici Princes. Don’t populate the court with flatterers; rather, listen to your critics — they may help you avoid making stupid decisions.