Senators v Department Heads -
Round 637. Seconds away - Ding. And once again its 'game on'. There are many versions of this 'game' provided and over time, we have witnessed nearly all. The eternal game of 'Pin a Fart to a Wall' and the 'stuff a wet noodle in a tiger's arse and the eternal favourite 'flogging a dead donkey'. All, very nearly entertaining; almost. Alas, to the seasoned punter the 'red' odds on anything other than a goalless draw take all the fun out of a flutter. There is no 'extra time' or a penalty shoot-out to resolve the lacklustre match, strong, brick wall defence tactics and some pathetic attack forays on the other crew's goal see the stands empty by half time and the Bookies scratching for cab fare. Nor even a highlight on the TV to ease the morbidity.
Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”
Aye, there are many calls for 'change' - deuced tricky business is change. However, for centuries now, those who practice 'ringing the changes' (campanology) have worked out methods of doing this without too much ado; so it can be managed. There is an 'art' to it, no doubt; but definitely 'do-able' - provided each element is coordinated and cohesive. And, it is well past the time when 'government' and it's servants start to 'ring-the-changes' before there is chaos. IMO, that is where Australian aviation headed, the exit for the road to 'Perdition' is rapidly approaching. My old mate Dickens summed it up neatly.
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair."
There are, for weal or for woe; folk making decisions and folk enacting those decisions who have no business doing so. Take a wander through the last Estimates go-around (and around). Well intentioned senators mumbling and stumbling through questions they do not have the 'right' answer to. Those questioned - well - what can I say - pathetic rump covering perhaps; or deliberate obfuscation; or, even shameless 'duck-shoving' to an even deeper mire of murky deflection. For this pantomime, the nation pays dearly; very, very dearly. Sound and fury - signifying 'por nada'.
Good decisions come from experience. Experience comes from making bad decisions.
So, what of these 'changes' demanded by industry; it is a broad church (so to speak) and almost every discipline has at least one axe to grind. From corporate developers to the winsome week-end warrior in a home built; all have needs, many have an agenda; there are even (believe it or not) 'experts' in each field of endeavour who actually do have not only 'solutions' to the things which blight their field, but have no idea of the consequential 'knock - on' effects of their sole focus on one element. Nothing wrong with this until it come to 'ringing-in-the changes'. Then all Hell breaks loose; that which is sauce for the Goose, offends the Gander. Bad enough standing alone, but:: what about the mutts who are charged with orchestrating the changes demanded; and their masters. Lord, you talk about a Camel being designed by a committee, that will be the play of a child compared to the ructions, machinations and inevitable fumbles.
"It should be borne in mind that there is nothing more difficult to arrange, more doubtful of success, and more dangerous to carry through than initiating changes. The innovator makes enemies of all those who prospered under the old order, and only lukewarm support is forthcoming from those who would prosper under the new. Their support is lukewarm ... partly because men are generally incredulous, never really trusting new things unless they have tested them by experience."
Are deep seated changes required? Good question that one and worthy of some consideration. A qualified 'Yes' to that conundrum - but how much, of what and when and how?. In the beginning Australia was a leading compliant signatory to the Chicago convention and an ICAO acolyte. There was a serviceable 'Act' reasonable rules and aviation flourished (well sort of); it at least staggered and stumbled it's way out of the dark ages. But I digress; 'change' is the crux; and there are many calls for change across the entire spectrum; all valid, some brilliant, others not so much. 'Tis but the way of the world, however, needs must when the devil drives.. There are some practical tools available to effect a change; there are some fairly tightly focused agenda; there are even some from 'left-field' - how are these to 'get-sorted'? For my Two bob's worth; I would begin with an 'attitude' change.
"The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking."
Now then, you may change the Act, the Rules, the system and even those who have the power to see and understand that which is 'needful' to be done. But; having patiently (with a handy bucket) sat through every recording from the last Estimates there is only one, solitary change I would make - given I had the horsepower; the attitude of those described as 'public servants'. The 'airports' lady, Halfwit, Spence, all deep into rice bowl protection - combat mode - fully loaded with so much Pony Pooh and help to throw it as to make the Angels weep. It ain't combat. They all get paid very well to perform required function; the Senators have 'questions' which demand answers; essentially "if not - why not"? A "why is it so" question, from a Senator demands a plain, honest answer - a sensible reasoned explanation of 'Why'. You can fiddle with the 'rules' all you like but until the departments start to provide a 'reasonable' explanation to honest questions; the whole thing is a gross waste of public money and my time remaining on this earth. Until that changes and honest competent people can provide answers; without the passive aggressive, self protective 'attitude' - then both the good and the bad ideas and 'solutions' are about as much use as a chocolate fire wall.
“The mirror crack'd from side to side
"The curse has come upon me," cried
The Lady of Shalot
Aye well; no matter - I have a treasure - $50 bucks it cost me; a wonderful 'Grandmother' clock, fallen on hard times, neglected and abused. No longer; my ancient, venerable clock maker friend will restore the neglected workings (a mystery) and I shall dive into my hoarded store of Rosewood, Apple, Mahogany and other treasured remnants to build a new carcass for a grand old lady. Patience, time, skill and integrity required for the task; cant wait to start - measurement and design to follow. What? - of course it will be classic - how else? Now then, my boots, smokes, dogs (et al) - Away then; time to wander the earth and wonder at it all.
Selah....
Round 637. Seconds away - Ding. And once again its 'game on'. There are many versions of this 'game' provided and over time, we have witnessed nearly all. The eternal game of 'Pin a Fart to a Wall' and the 'stuff a wet noodle in a tiger's arse and the eternal favourite 'flogging a dead donkey'. All, very nearly entertaining; almost. Alas, to the seasoned punter the 'red' odds on anything other than a goalless draw take all the fun out of a flutter. There is no 'extra time' or a penalty shoot-out to resolve the lacklustre match, strong, brick wall defence tactics and some pathetic attack forays on the other crew's goal see the stands empty by half time and the Bookies scratching for cab fare. Nor even a highlight on the TV to ease the morbidity.
Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”
Aye, there are many calls for 'change' - deuced tricky business is change. However, for centuries now, those who practice 'ringing the changes' (campanology) have worked out methods of doing this without too much ado; so it can be managed. There is an 'art' to it, no doubt; but definitely 'do-able' - provided each element is coordinated and cohesive. And, it is well past the time when 'government' and it's servants start to 'ring-the-changes' before there is chaos. IMO, that is where Australian aviation headed, the exit for the road to 'Perdition' is rapidly approaching. My old mate Dickens summed it up neatly.
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair."
There are, for weal or for woe; folk making decisions and folk enacting those decisions who have no business doing so. Take a wander through the last Estimates go-around (and around). Well intentioned senators mumbling and stumbling through questions they do not have the 'right' answer to. Those questioned - well - what can I say - pathetic rump covering perhaps; or deliberate obfuscation; or, even shameless 'duck-shoving' to an even deeper mire of murky deflection. For this pantomime, the nation pays dearly; very, very dearly. Sound and fury - signifying 'por nada'.
Good decisions come from experience. Experience comes from making bad decisions.
So, what of these 'changes' demanded by industry; it is a broad church (so to speak) and almost every discipline has at least one axe to grind. From corporate developers to the winsome week-end warrior in a home built; all have needs, many have an agenda; there are even (believe it or not) 'experts' in each field of endeavour who actually do have not only 'solutions' to the things which blight their field, but have no idea of the consequential 'knock - on' effects of their sole focus on one element. Nothing wrong with this until it come to 'ringing-in-the changes'. Then all Hell breaks loose; that which is sauce for the Goose, offends the Gander. Bad enough standing alone, but:: what about the mutts who are charged with orchestrating the changes demanded; and their masters. Lord, you talk about a Camel being designed by a committee, that will be the play of a child compared to the ructions, machinations and inevitable fumbles.
"It should be borne in mind that there is nothing more difficult to arrange, more doubtful of success, and more dangerous to carry through than initiating changes. The innovator makes enemies of all those who prospered under the old order, and only lukewarm support is forthcoming from those who would prosper under the new. Their support is lukewarm ... partly because men are generally incredulous, never really trusting new things unless they have tested them by experience."
Are deep seated changes required? Good question that one and worthy of some consideration. A qualified 'Yes' to that conundrum - but how much, of what and when and how?. In the beginning Australia was a leading compliant signatory to the Chicago convention and an ICAO acolyte. There was a serviceable 'Act' reasonable rules and aviation flourished (well sort of); it at least staggered and stumbled it's way out of the dark ages. But I digress; 'change' is the crux; and there are many calls for change across the entire spectrum; all valid, some brilliant, others not so much. 'Tis but the way of the world, however, needs must when the devil drives.. There are some practical tools available to effect a change; there are some fairly tightly focused agenda; there are even some from 'left-field' - how are these to 'get-sorted'? For my Two bob's worth; I would begin with an 'attitude' change.
"The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking."
Now then, you may change the Act, the Rules, the system and even those who have the power to see and understand that which is 'needful' to be done. But; having patiently (with a handy bucket) sat through every recording from the last Estimates there is only one, solitary change I would make - given I had the horsepower; the attitude of those described as 'public servants'. The 'airports' lady, Halfwit, Spence, all deep into rice bowl protection - combat mode - fully loaded with so much Pony Pooh and help to throw it as to make the Angels weep. It ain't combat. They all get paid very well to perform required function; the Senators have 'questions' which demand answers; essentially "if not - why not"? A "why is it so" question, from a Senator demands a plain, honest answer - a sensible reasoned explanation of 'Why'. You can fiddle with the 'rules' all you like but until the departments start to provide a 'reasonable' explanation to honest questions; the whole thing is a gross waste of public money and my time remaining on this earth. Until that changes and honest competent people can provide answers; without the passive aggressive, self protective 'attitude' - then both the good and the bad ideas and 'solutions' are about as much use as a chocolate fire wall.
“The mirror crack'd from side to side
"The curse has come upon me," cried
The Lady of Shalot
Aye well; no matter - I have a treasure - $50 bucks it cost me; a wonderful 'Grandmother' clock, fallen on hard times, neglected and abused. No longer; my ancient, venerable clock maker friend will restore the neglected workings (a mystery) and I shall dive into my hoarded store of Rosewood, Apple, Mahogany and other treasured remnants to build a new carcass for a grand old lady. Patience, time, skill and integrity required for the task; cant wait to start - measurement and design to follow. What? - of course it will be classic - how else? Now then, my boots, smokes, dogs (et al) - Away then; time to wander the earth and wonder at it all.
Selah....