The Business Council of Australia has delivered a scathing assessment of the state of the public service, saying its independent authority has been undermined by political gatekeepers, resulting in development of poor policy.

Council chief executive Jennifer Westacott called on public servants yesterday to rise up and ''regain control'' over their world.

Jennifer Westacott is the CEO of the Business Council of Australia. Credit:Tamara Voninski

The impact on Australia of a diminished public service was ''dangerously far-reaching'', she said in a scathing speech.

''I want to talk very frankly about restoring precious things about the civil service, things that I am deeply concerned are being lost,'' she said.