[P7_TOM]

There’s a kinda hush.

Seems “K” is a little off the mark regarding this new fangled approach to ‘scrutiny’ of legislative instruments. Not far wrong – but P2 and a small team are ‘having a deeper look’. In principal it is a great thing, the nuts and bolts of how it all works are quite new and it’ll take some time to sort it out.

“There is no act of treachery or mean-ness of which a political party is not capable; for in politics there is no honour”

Nevertheless; if there is an avenue which will question such things as ‘the criminal code’  as inflicted on aviation then this is, potentially - a good thing. If you can, talk to a Barrister or a senior Copper. Rape, murder, grand theft etc. among many others are deemed ‘criminal acts’. It’s deuced tricky stuff and the professionals (of both camps) fully understand the way the system works. But, and it is quite a large but; you cannot accuse anyone of a ‘criminal’ or even a civil ‘crime’ without some serious homework being done and an argument which is ‘legally’ demonstrable. Our justice system works fairly well – E&OE. Not perfect, but grounded in the rule of law.

Not many have done so – but they really should read the CASA enforcement manual. Few ever bother to read the ‘penalty’ clause under strict liability built into our Civil Aviation regulations. Not to the extent that they may one day need to defend themselves, their business, livelihood or professional reputation against a non defendable accusation – ‘in law’.

It is good to see a Senate committee charged with the oversight of ‘legislative instruments’. These ‘laws’ by-pass the parliamentary system and are as valid as anything parliament approves.


"I desired that the Senate of Rome might appear before me in one large chamber, and a modern representative, in counterview, in another. The first seemed to be an assembly of heroes and demi-gods; the other, a knot of pedlars, pick-pockets, highwaymen, and bullies."

It ain’t right; anything which can give you a ‘criminal’ record – particularly a record which convicts you of an offence against ‘aviation’ is a very serious blow to career advancement. I will leave it there – food for thought. This was, last I checked, a democracy which sanctified the word we live in and millions died to protect. Think on it for a while –

While you think – I’ll have an Ale, we can always talk later.