Or, as the good Reverend would say -
Hitch probably doesn’t mean to come off all ‘negative’ but he sure reads that way, and he’s got it all arse about. There are only two debates which will have great effect on the final outcome and two, possibly three major elements of uncertainty.
1) Dual mandate. As it stands CASA is bound to a single mandate – safety. The proposed changes to the Act will impose a second mandate – economy. Many believe it is wrong to have dual a mandate despite the fact that the UK, USA and NZ and many other leading nations aviation administrators seem to manage quite well, without getting their knitting tangled. Within CASA and government it’s a reasonable assumption that there will be two camps – pro and anti. It will fall to the parliament to pass a new Act or not – provided the revised Act gets that far after parliament debates it. Two things must happen (i) the incumbent minister must be convinced that there is a need to change the Act; and (ii) the parliament must pass the bill. With the Act changed, CASA will have no option other than to comply.
2) Will the hierarchy of the CASA agree or disagree to accept the proposed changes, for there will be two camps (and a boat load of fence sitters). This debate will be of much greater importance than the parliament version. Should those who agree that a change is a good thing win the day; then the minister will get the nod and things will happen. If the no change crew (black hats) win the argument, then the minister must ‘consider his position’. CASA says this stinks like Skippy’s bum, then the reform process is dead. Should the wise owls and white hats win, then the minister will happily stand up and back the changes.
a) Shane Carmody; much will depend on his say –so. Hard to fathom his game plan; on the one hand at Estimates he strongly defends some untenable CASA actions; then later, through the grapevine, we get wind of subtle, but important changes being made. If the CEO believes that a dual mandate is a good thing, then things will happen – if not; then things may happen – eventually. But I’ll have departed this fix for another dimension long before the diluted, manipulated changes filter down to the rank and file.
b) The way CASA have got things set up is, for them, very, very safe and cosy. The minister is well protected; the CASA troops have a tremendous layer of top cover and CASA can do whatever it likes, when it likes as often as pleases. They will loose all of this under a reformed Act and become both accountable and responsible, which will be a shock to the system – a big shock. The notion of CASA operating as responsibly and accountably as a major airline management team is an anathema. It will come down to Black hats v White hats, with Carmody the umpire. Toss a coin.
c) Industry support for a sane, sensible Act will be essential; without that, once again the minister will need to ‘consider his options’. The big players will benefit most through reduced compliance costs and greater efficiency. The engineering and pilot unions should be backing this proposal to the hilt – even if simply to avoid the ever present threat of being prosecuted and unable to defend their actions (or lack thereof).
Should those elements all see the benefit of changing the Act and the knock on effects to industry benefit that will bring, then reform is possible and hope flourishes. Ask yourself one simple question, which nations have a great aviation industry and who does not?
Juggle three balls to win; convince the minister, convince Carmody and convince the industry; drop one and that’s it – tilt, game over.
There now, get off your arse and get behind this very slim chance of making Australian aviation great again.
Lawyers – really Hitch, you been at the Kool Aid again haven’t you. Buck up man and support the drive for better conditions. You know you want to.
Toot toot.
Hitch probably doesn’t mean to come off all ‘negative’ but he sure reads that way, and he’s got it all arse about. There are only two debates which will have great effect on the final outcome and two, possibly three major elements of uncertainty.
1) Dual mandate. As it stands CASA is bound to a single mandate – safety. The proposed changes to the Act will impose a second mandate – economy. Many believe it is wrong to have dual a mandate despite the fact that the UK, USA and NZ and many other leading nations aviation administrators seem to manage quite well, without getting their knitting tangled. Within CASA and government it’s a reasonable assumption that there will be two camps – pro and anti. It will fall to the parliament to pass a new Act or not – provided the revised Act gets that far after parliament debates it. Two things must happen (i) the incumbent minister must be convinced that there is a need to change the Act; and (ii) the parliament must pass the bill. With the Act changed, CASA will have no option other than to comply.
2) Will the hierarchy of the CASA agree or disagree to accept the proposed changes, for there will be two camps (and a boat load of fence sitters). This debate will be of much greater importance than the parliament version. Should those who agree that a change is a good thing win the day; then the minister will get the nod and things will happen. If the no change crew (black hats) win the argument, then the minister must ‘consider his position’. CASA says this stinks like Skippy’s bum, then the reform process is dead. Should the wise owls and white hats win, then the minister will happily stand up and back the changes.
a) Shane Carmody; much will depend on his say –so. Hard to fathom his game plan; on the one hand at Estimates he strongly defends some untenable CASA actions; then later, through the grapevine, we get wind of subtle, but important changes being made. If the CEO believes that a dual mandate is a good thing, then things will happen – if not; then things may happen – eventually. But I’ll have departed this fix for another dimension long before the diluted, manipulated changes filter down to the rank and file.
b) The way CASA have got things set up is, for them, very, very safe and cosy. The minister is well protected; the CASA troops have a tremendous layer of top cover and CASA can do whatever it likes, when it likes as often as pleases. They will loose all of this under a reformed Act and become both accountable and responsible, which will be a shock to the system – a big shock. The notion of CASA operating as responsibly and accountably as a major airline management team is an anathema. It will come down to Black hats v White hats, with Carmody the umpire. Toss a coin.
c) Industry support for a sane, sensible Act will be essential; without that, once again the minister will need to ‘consider his options’. The big players will benefit most through reduced compliance costs and greater efficiency. The engineering and pilot unions should be backing this proposal to the hilt – even if simply to avoid the ever present threat of being prosecuted and unable to defend their actions (or lack thereof).
Should those elements all see the benefit of changing the Act and the knock on effects to industry benefit that will bring, then reform is possible and hope flourishes. Ask yourself one simple question, which nations have a great aviation industry and who does not?
Juggle three balls to win; convince the minister, convince Carmody and convince the industry; drop one and that’s it – tilt, game over.
There now, get off your arse and get behind this very slim chance of making Australian aviation great again.
Lawyers – really Hitch, you been at the Kool Aid again haven’t you. Buck up man and support the drive for better conditions. You know you want to.
Toot toot.