After the most challenging period for the Australian Public Service, perhaps ever, it was announced late last week a freeze on public servant wages would not be extended.
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It is a more than warranted pat on the back for helping steer the nation through a once-in-a-century upheaval.
Back in April, as the first wave of infections hit our shores and the country shut down in a way previously unimagined, the federal government determined to pause any public sector wage increases.
It was deemed a symbol of goodwill, as small business owners struggled to stay afloat and the arts and entertainment industry, among others, were essentially halted.
Assistant minister Ben Morton, who oversees the public service in parliament, declared it was only fair the public service shared the economic burden of the COVID-19 pandemic while other sectors struggled.
It shouldn't be understated what impact such a symbolic gesture may have had, reinforcing the government's message that we truly are in this together.
In economic terms it would have made a negligible difference. By the Community and Public Sector's calculations, the total amount of APS pay rises would have amounted to 0.058 percent of the national budget.
Also, at a time the federal government was unashamedly focused on economic stimulus, it took money out of circulation that could otherwise have been spent boosting local economies.
But what was most interesting to note was the difference in announcements between the decision to freeze wages for six months and last week's determination it would not continue.
The federal government made lengthy statements to the media justifying the decision to freeze wages and explaining why it was absolutely necessary.
So where was the announcement of the freeze ending? Where were the politicians thanking the public service for its outstanding work this year responding to not one but multiple life-altering crises?
Did they not deserve to be told by government they could expect the pay rises they clearly earned, rather than via their union representatives? Of course they did.
Perhaps the government was scared of the optics associated with raising the public sector's wages during a pandemic when so many are still struggling.
Audiences outside our city are not so appreciative of the work of the APS and there is no shortage of shock jocks who likely would have criticised the perceived public sector largesse.
But let's not forget public servants are only getting what they're owed. The government only placed a pause on previously agreed-to wage increases. Staff at many Commonwealth agencies agreed to a 2 per cent pay rise prior to the pandemic, after skipping negotiations for new workplace agreements.
Since then, they've navigated the bushfires and rolled out the government's complicated pandemic relief measures, all the while adjusting to working from home.
The ambitious $100 billion JobKeeper scheme, largely credited with sparing Australia's economy from the impacts seen overseas, does not work without public servants. Nor do the increases to JobSeeker. Without public servants we won't be administering a coronavirus vaccine should one be found. And even more than the roughly 30,000 Australians currently stuck overseas would be languishing in a COVID-stricken land abroad.
So while we are rightfully outraged when we hear of Cartier watches being given to Australia Post executives or the chair of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission apparently using $118,000 of public money for personal tax advice, let us not forget this isn't representative of the APS.
These pay rises will go to mums and dads, average people who don't take home an enormous pay packet and will help that little bit more with the mortgage, groceries or maybe a family holiday.
After the work they've put in this year, they've earned it.
