“No enemy is worse than bad advice.”
Hundreds of years ago Sophocles turned that phrase; still valid today I reckon. But it got me thinking. - HERE – is a transcript of a NSW Budget Estimates session. Every answer is preceded by the words “I am advised”. It set me to wondering 'why'?
Now then, 'the law' is an extraordinarily complex beast – I tried for an hour or so to define 'why' the phrase was used in the NSW Estimates; having never heard it used in Commonwealth Senate Estimates. I found a couple of 'links' which sort of shine a small light on the subject; but found little to clearly define the deliberate purpose of doing so when questioned in Estimates. However, to the lay mind the repetitive use of the phrase seems 'odd' in the way of the real world, far away from a court of law. Although I am advised that the 'real' world only exists in a court – go figure.. But I digress. So a legal puzzle it must remain until I can have a chat with an ancient 'legal eagle' on who's 'opinion' I'd bet my life. So MTF on that.
“Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.”
And so, back to the NSW Estimates and the ever increasing size and budget of the OTSI organisation which, like Topsy – just grew in 'administrative' - but has little to show in the way of additional investigators. Then, there is the big brag, the one that claims their Safety Management System (SMS) is proving effective and the reports are flowing in. Which is great, except for a few 'small' points – like:- the clearance times between a report and positive action; or, in the way that they have ensured the cleanly identified problem is 'unlikely' to reoccur (again). Then there are the lightweight responses to several matters which, in the opinion of many, demand some serious attention. Like an assurance that every weld in the boats is up to standard; or, that the ongoing steering problems are sorted out; and, that the cost of constantly repairing battered, bent hulls and structural members will be sourced from – where? Not from French Transdev's pockets; that is a short odds racing certainty.
“Does a man of sense run after every silly tale of hobgoblins or fairies, and canvass particularly the evidence? I never knew anyone, that examined and deliberated about nonsense who did not believe it before the end of his enquiries.” {{ Luv it }}...
Perhaps the Qld certification transmogrified – into RMS easy acceptance of Survey had some bearing on the how and the why these vessels are allowed to continue. Now the DCV's certificates are grandfathered to the AMSA portfolio. That, stand alone begs questions to be answered. However, while AMSA may take their time to 'take a hand', as the Bard says, 'the wheels of the Gods grind slow; but they grind exceeding fine'. AMSA is the only realistic hope for survey probity and operational reliability: that which generates the real reduction of tangible risk, providing the true compliance which in turn provides real operational (and legal) safety outcomes.
“The status-quo habits for 'grandfathered' vulnerabilities do not legitimise them.”
But the bit which really grabbed attention was the delightful obfuscation about the steering failures; 100% guaranteed to totally bamboozle the average politician asking questions. “Not the steering at fault – but the 'toggle' control”. Uhhmm – Yeah, BUT – the toggle actuates the steering – lose the toggle – lose the steering: QED – seriously? Not everyone on this planet is as disconnected from the way machinery works as the local member for the rotten borough of 'Ocean Views'. This, in part, forms a proportion of the basic 'stumbling block'. The way different groups perceive the 'risk' in relation to their own 'rice bowl'. That which may keep a pilot or ship's skipper awake would not bother, not in the slightest, the local member for Puddle jump. That which will keep a public servant hot and bothered all night would not concern the local member, or the Skipper:not in the slightest. And yet, for all the disconnection, it is, and must be, by default, be a truly symbiotic relationship –for vastly dissimilar reasons. Non involved need anything to go awry and result in the death of a traveller in a public service vehicle to end up in the courts. For there they must face the fiercest of all foes; the ultimate insurers of the hull and all contents. Not to mention the public humiliation of even being remotely associated with a demonstrable 'death-trap' being approved to operate on the water, in the air, or on the road.
“There are in nature neither rewards nor punishments — there are consequences.”
Any fatal accident involving mass transport must inevitably become 'political'; the history of aviation events classic case. If there is even the smallest whiff of political sleight of hand or 'deals' done; the roof will be off the building; the 'enemies' will ensure that. Ben Franklin said it all, best and shortest.
“He that drinks his cider alone, let him catch his horse alone.”
Toot – toot.
Hundreds of years ago Sophocles turned that phrase; still valid today I reckon. But it got me thinking. - HERE – is a transcript of a NSW Budget Estimates session. Every answer is preceded by the words “I am advised”. It set me to wondering 'why'?
Now then, 'the law' is an extraordinarily complex beast – I tried for an hour or so to define 'why' the phrase was used in the NSW Estimates; having never heard it used in Commonwealth Senate Estimates. I found a couple of 'links' which sort of shine a small light on the subject; but found little to clearly define the deliberate purpose of doing so when questioned in Estimates. However, to the lay mind the repetitive use of the phrase seems 'odd' in the way of the real world, far away from a court of law. Although I am advised that the 'real' world only exists in a court – go figure.. But I digress. So a legal puzzle it must remain until I can have a chat with an ancient 'legal eagle' on who's 'opinion' I'd bet my life. So MTF on that.
“Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.”
And so, back to the NSW Estimates and the ever increasing size and budget of the OTSI organisation which, like Topsy – just grew in 'administrative' - but has little to show in the way of additional investigators. Then, there is the big brag, the one that claims their Safety Management System (SMS) is proving effective and the reports are flowing in. Which is great, except for a few 'small' points – like:- the clearance times between a report and positive action; or, in the way that they have ensured the cleanly identified problem is 'unlikely' to reoccur (again). Then there are the lightweight responses to several matters which, in the opinion of many, demand some serious attention. Like an assurance that every weld in the boats is up to standard; or, that the ongoing steering problems are sorted out; and, that the cost of constantly repairing battered, bent hulls and structural members will be sourced from – where? Not from French Transdev's pockets; that is a short odds racing certainty.
“Does a man of sense run after every silly tale of hobgoblins or fairies, and canvass particularly the evidence? I never knew anyone, that examined and deliberated about nonsense who did not believe it before the end of his enquiries.” {{ Luv it }}...
Perhaps the Qld certification transmogrified – into RMS easy acceptance of Survey had some bearing on the how and the why these vessels are allowed to continue. Now the DCV's certificates are grandfathered to the AMSA portfolio. That, stand alone begs questions to be answered. However, while AMSA may take their time to 'take a hand', as the Bard says, 'the wheels of the Gods grind slow; but they grind exceeding fine'. AMSA is the only realistic hope for survey probity and operational reliability: that which generates the real reduction of tangible risk, providing the true compliance which in turn provides real operational (and legal) safety outcomes.
“The status-quo habits for 'grandfathered' vulnerabilities do not legitimise them.”
But the bit which really grabbed attention was the delightful obfuscation about the steering failures; 100% guaranteed to totally bamboozle the average politician asking questions. “Not the steering at fault – but the 'toggle' control”. Uhhmm – Yeah, BUT – the toggle actuates the steering – lose the toggle – lose the steering: QED – seriously? Not everyone on this planet is as disconnected from the way machinery works as the local member for the rotten borough of 'Ocean Views'. This, in part, forms a proportion of the basic 'stumbling block'. The way different groups perceive the 'risk' in relation to their own 'rice bowl'. That which may keep a pilot or ship's skipper awake would not bother, not in the slightest, the local member for Puddle jump. That which will keep a public servant hot and bothered all night would not concern the local member, or the Skipper:not in the slightest. And yet, for all the disconnection, it is, and must be, by default, be a truly symbiotic relationship –for vastly dissimilar reasons. Non involved need anything to go awry and result in the death of a traveller in a public service vehicle to end up in the courts. For there they must face the fiercest of all foes; the ultimate insurers of the hull and all contents. Not to mention the public humiliation of even being remotely associated with a demonstrable 'death-trap' being approved to operate on the water, in the air, or on the road.
“There are in nature neither rewards nor punishments — there are consequences.”
Any fatal accident involving mass transport must inevitably become 'political'; the history of aviation events classic case. If there is even the smallest whiff of political sleight of hand or 'deals' done; the roof will be off the building; the 'enemies' will ensure that. Ben Franklin said it all, best and shortest.
“He that drinks his cider alone, let him catch his horse alone.”
Toot – toot.