The scheme is not working to increase transparency or prevent foreign interference. The registration site attracts little traffic, and most Australians probably don’t know the scheme exists.

Arguably, the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison era represents a nadir when it comes to the history of Australian national leadership.

Pezzullo is a one-off in the today’s public service. He can perhaps be best understood by referring back to the so-called bureaucratic “mandarins” of decades ago.