So I know linking to stories in other papers is not very imaginative, but this story by Myles Peterson from the Age about working in the APS struck me as pretty spot on for many (and the comments wavered between people who clearly had no idea how the PS actually worked and people who had been there and done that).
Sample:
Around the same time a section meeting was called. Our boss arrived late, but in the best of moods. ”We’re under budget!” she announced proudly. The old-timers let out whoops of joy.
”What’s going on?” I asked someone quietly.
”We’re under budget,” they replied with a rare smile.
”Oh, so that’s good? You’ve saved money?”
”No, no,” her smile turned to ash as she gave me that pitying look I usually received when I asked a question. ”It means training.”