One of the funniest things I hear about is non-performers advancing in their position without actually being employed in a higher duties role. These are the minions who are promised promotions without actually meeting merit selection criteria, it is a very unusual way to advance your career, you are the person that says yes to everyone. 

Even better is when these minions take pay cuts for honorary positions that do not carry any real prospects. They work longer hours for less money, they do not qualify for higher duties allowances, they can’t progress, they lack the credentials, the ability and the knowledge. In a government role, merit selection is required, so anyone promoted without meeting merit selection criteria is a crony. This is a very unusual way to improve their career prospects. 

If you don’t meet the formal selection criteria, you don’t undertake a formal assessment against defined selection criteria by a selection panel, then you are a crony. This is why there are so many acting positions in government. I wonder why people work longer hours for less financial rewards, maybe the promise of better prospects in the future? Unlikely, it looks like they are out of career options.