Dogs, cars and democracy.
Its all well and good to have industry representation, in fact it’s a fine thing; but and that is a big BUT, in the case of CASA one must remember that the regulator must carry the can. To stretch the point, if everyone ‘voted’ for and CASA agreed to a 10% overload and to no reserve fuel being carried; when the inevitable happened, it would be CASA heads rolling in the gutters. Clearly, there has to be a limit to what CASA may ‘consider’ and the constraints imposed by their charter. That all seems to be fair and reasonable; don’t it?
Silly proposals to one side, there is a ‘consultation’ process which, like it or not, CASA must at least be seen to be involved in; same-same Senate Estimates sessions, no options, attendance mandatory. Still all fair and reasonable, so far. It is a good system – on paper; but the realties, recently demonstrated tell a different story – the facts are there to support the sick, sad, sorry misuse of power and disrespect to the system, which Australians pay dearly for; believing we have the finest democratic ‘system’ their money can buy.
The treatment Class Two medicals and Colour Vision have received is breathtakingly disgusting. The tactics used smack of cronyism, whiff of corruption and speak of captured opinion. It is, in reality, a simple matter: Europe, the UK and the USA have developed a system, which, supported by factual data, seems not to have created a ‘safety’ problem. The Australian Alphabet Soup Groups thought this was a fine thing; and, had the temerity to suggest that the same be adopted for Australian pilots. Yes, or No answer requested and required. What a mess. It begs the question – if the CASA response was No, then please explain why not; end of story. Should the answer be Yes, then let’s have the rules printed up and we can all go home. Easy as pie.
But no, we have a plot, worthy of Machiavelli, now exposed for all to see. The same devious, twisted pathway can be traced to the building of DFO’s on runways, to the Pel-Air debacle and back to every Senate Estimates hearing and inquiry ever conducted. It is high time this was brought to an end.
There will always be tension between the industry and the regulator; go anywhere in the world and you will find that. However, for the most part the regulator is open, honest and transparent, this we can live with. But, this last little imbroglio shines a light on a very ugly situation, a situation which can and probably will damage the credibility of the minister and his government; when the story is fully told.
Will the story be told? Damn right it will.
Will that telling make an iota of difference? That boys and girls is up to you; the tools are there, but have you the nouse, strength, integrity and willpower to use ’em?
Toot- toot.
Its all well and good to have industry representation, in fact it’s a fine thing; but and that is a big BUT, in the case of CASA one must remember that the regulator must carry the can. To stretch the point, if everyone ‘voted’ for and CASA agreed to a 10% overload and to no reserve fuel being carried; when the inevitable happened, it would be CASA heads rolling in the gutters. Clearly, there has to be a limit to what CASA may ‘consider’ and the constraints imposed by their charter. That all seems to be fair and reasonable; don’t it?
Silly proposals to one side, there is a ‘consultation’ process which, like it or not, CASA must at least be seen to be involved in; same-same Senate Estimates sessions, no options, attendance mandatory. Still all fair and reasonable, so far. It is a good system – on paper; but the realties, recently demonstrated tell a different story – the facts are there to support the sick, sad, sorry misuse of power and disrespect to the system, which Australians pay dearly for; believing we have the finest democratic ‘system’ their money can buy.
The treatment Class Two medicals and Colour Vision have received is breathtakingly disgusting. The tactics used smack of cronyism, whiff of corruption and speak of captured opinion. It is, in reality, a simple matter: Europe, the UK and the USA have developed a system, which, supported by factual data, seems not to have created a ‘safety’ problem. The Australian Alphabet Soup Groups thought this was a fine thing; and, had the temerity to suggest that the same be adopted for Australian pilots. Yes, or No answer requested and required. What a mess. It begs the question – if the CASA response was No, then please explain why not; end of story. Should the answer be Yes, then let’s have the rules printed up and we can all go home. Easy as pie.
But no, we have a plot, worthy of Machiavelli, now exposed for all to see. The same devious, twisted pathway can be traced to the building of DFO’s on runways, to the Pel-Air debacle and back to every Senate Estimates hearing and inquiry ever conducted. It is high time this was brought to an end.
There will always be tension between the industry and the regulator; go anywhere in the world and you will find that. However, for the most part the regulator is open, honest and transparent, this we can live with. But, this last little imbroglio shines a light on a very ugly situation, a situation which can and probably will damage the credibility of the minister and his government; when the story is fully told.
Will the story be told? Damn right it will.
Will that telling make an iota of difference? That boys and girls is up to you; the tools are there, but have you the nouse, strength, integrity and willpower to use ’em?
Toot- toot.