The inability to handle criticism is always a sign of utmost weakness. That is as true for government as it is for people.

It’s why the hatred this government shows for independent statutory officers who question its authority should be especially troubling.

There have been several unedifying examples that have emerged over the past year alone. Just recall president of the Human Rights Commission Gillian Triggs, former solicitor general Justin Gleeson, and former head of the department of agriculture Paul Grimes.

Today, Gillian Triggs will be called back to appear in front of coalition senators – the government having decided that seven-and-a-half hours of grilling at the last estimates hearing in October was insufficient. Who knows how long she will be subjected to belligerent questioning during today’s hearing.

Gillian Triggs to go as human rights chief, Turnbull confirms Read more

Let’s not pretend here.

Triggs is not being recalled so that further facts of any matter can be established. It is simply another step in the coalition’s campaign, led by senators Ian MacDonald and Barry O’Sullivan, to harm her because they do not like what she stands for.

What she stands for is the right for independent statutory officers to do their jobs, to not be afraid to criticise the government where it is warranted, and to refuse to back down under fierce criticism.

The campaign against Gillian Triggs by the coalition and certain segments of the media long ago crossed a line from fair scrutiny to extended harassment. It is without precedent.

It certainly was not seen under John Howard, for example, when Human Rights Commissioner Sev Ozdowski released a report on children in mainland detention in 2004. It’s hard to understand why Triggs’s treatment should be so different.

The same pattern of extremely hostile behaviour was on show from the same coalition senators when former solicitor general Justin Gleeson appeared before a hearing by the legal and constitutional affairs committee in October this year.

Mr Gleeson’s crime was, apparently, not to kowtow to the coalition senators sufficiently, and to honestly speak his mind. The disrespect shown to him, as the second law officer of the country and the most prominent lawyer in the land, was shocking.

Then you have Paul Grimes, the former head of the department of agriculture. After a protracted freedom of information battle it emerged late this year he had been sacked just a few days after writing a letter which held deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce to account for doctoring Hansard.

Mr Grimes’s letter rightly questioned Mr Joyce’s integrity in relation to the matter. Mr Grimes lasted 10 days in his position after that. Mr Gleeson resigned a few weeks after his abhorrent treatment. Only Professor Triggs has held on, and her reward is continuing torment.

It is not – emphatically not – the role of public servants and independent statutory officers to slavishly support the government’s agenda. They have larger roles, which may include monitoring what the government is doing, supporting them if necessary, but also holding them to account. And in the case of Triggs she is expressly directed by legislation to report on the human rights implications of government actions and to publicly discuss those matters.

It is the very reason that independent bodies such as the Human Rights Commission and Office of the Solicitor General exist – because they are meant to be above and separate from the politics of the day. It’s why they have terms that extend beyond a single political cycle – they should serve governments of all colours with ease.

They are a key part of the integrity of our governmental system. Without them, many checks and balances disappear.

In allowing these attacks to go on, Malcolm Turnbull is displaying a serious dereliction of duty. He should be actively defending independent statutory officers, not standing by and allowing them to be torn down by government MPs for simply doing their job.

By staying silent, he is condoning and accepting this utterly damaging treatment.

No doubt, today’s hearing will be just as horrible to watch as previous hearings, and she will once more be treated with the utmost disrespect. I hold out hope the government might see how badly they are viewed thanks to the bellicose behaviour of senators Ian MacDonald and Barry O’Sullivan, and have them change their demeanour, but that hope is probably futile.

The ultimate outcome of all of this is the spread of fear among those who hold offices like those of Gillian Triggs, which creates a cohort of public servants and independent statutory officers who are more inclined to stay quiet when they would otherwise have spoken out.

Gillian Triggs: I won’t be cowed by political attacks Read more

Former solicitor general Gavan Griffith, in a submission to the inquiry involving Mr Gleeson, used the memorable image of a “dog on a lead” to describe what he believed would be the impact of limiting Mr Gleeson’s independence.

It’s strong language. But if public servants and independent statutory officers continue to receive the kind of shocking treatment they have been delivered by this government so far, they will be cowed to the extent that they are unable to do their jobs properly.

It’s vital we have fearless independent officers who hold this government to account. We are seeing less and less of them under this government. Without them, we are all in danger.