a topic in which I have some expertise
Not a frequent poster - life-long interest in aviation but not employed in it (or any related industry) - but did spend a considerable number of my 40+ working years in the public sector (with many years in the private and education sectors too).
Govt agencies are like life - some of it good, some aweful (not dissimilar in the private sector). Depends largely on people there at the time, and what you want from your job. Job satisfaction and rewards are very different. "Public Service" (service to the public?) was for me (and many colleagues) the main reward.
And if you think that people don't like CASA, I've worked in govt agencies where threats were sufficiently common that addresses do not appear on business cards. And it isn't ATO!
cheers
layman