[thorn bird]

I often ponder what and who was the catalyst that set in train the shift in CAsA from being a service provider to the authoritative pseudo policing force it has become today. There is also the question of why?

There seems to be one common element and one or two very long serving individuals that feature large in the CAsA metamorphosis.

What seems to me to be the start of the big R regulator began with the rise of the legal department within the hierarchy of CAsA back in the Illich era when Eastern block Stasi trained lawyers were introduced into the equation . These people came from a background of totalitarian Socialist states where the rule of law was not decided by who we imagine are impartial judges in the western world but by the governing elite.

Two people rose out of that era within CAsA who are still solidly imbedded there today. They are founding members of the “Iron Ring” and allegedly heavily influence the CAsA philosophy and direction.

I have been told the catalyst that turned CAsA’s attention inwards was the change in the law that took away their immunity from prosecution meaning that the entity of CAsA or anyone employed by them could be sued, collectively or individually. That must have been a terrifying prospect for any public servant where any advice or collaboration with industry could risk them being hauled before a court.

That immunity still exists today in the US for the FAA which may explain why they have so much more respectful inter-reaction and collaboration with their industry, and why CAsA slammed its doors to the industry and became an enforcer of the law rather than a service provider.

My father used to say, “If you want to get a deal over the line, keep the lawyers away from it for as long as possible”, which is probably a very true statement. Its quite apparent in the way CAsA goes about its business and in the regulations they write that the legal fraternity heavily influences every facet of its existence and processes.

All inter-reaction with industry is very carefully orchestrated to ensure no liability can be attributed to CAsA. As a senior CAsA FOI once said publically “We are not here to give advice, we only enforce the regulations”.
Is it unsurprising that the industry to try and protect itself as much as possible closed its doors to CAsA.

What a sad state of affairs

The why of the whole affair I can only hypothesis, but one thing is glaringly apparent, Safety is not in the race and the wellbeing of the industry comes a very poor last.

When will government wake up to the fact that its regulator is at war with its industry. The tumbrels roll out to the execution block as the barricades go up, will it take blood on the streets before political action is taken.