The right man for the job?
It takes a bit of imagination to answer this question; but read beyond the poetic licence used and the parallels may be applied.
Q) Would you appoint a retired Mother Superior to manage an opium den, with gambling out front and a cat house out the back?
Course not; no more than allowing a newly minted PPL to manage a A380 across the polar regions; don't make any sense whatsoever. Yet somehow, some way for whatever reason Spence was appointed to run the CASA. Oh, no doubt she is a competent manager on the clerical side; probably knows which end the smoke comes out of in that system etc. But, in plain view, for all the world to see – is the complete mess CASA has degenerated into.
Watching 'Estimates' is a lot less fun than watching Test cricket or the footy. Those two events attract much, much more comment and discussion, even expert (and not so expert) opinion. But do the matches matter as much as who and how the aviation industry is managed by the autonomous 'authority'?
Consider the 'changes' since Spence took the reins; pay attention to the words spoken, the way they are spoken, the language and the clear lack of confidence in those words at any Estimates session since her rule began. Then watch for the little 'real estate/ car salesman type climb to an authoritative speaking role; moving from the far right of the table to the closest seat to Spence on the left as Spence demur's to his 'wisdom. . Make of that what you will.
The GA industry is slowly but surely declining, the only continuing improvement is to the CASA escape plans from any and all responsibility. Whether Spence has allowed the current mess to develop, either by accident or design is immaterial. The facts prove the decline, beyond any reasonable doubt. It ain't all Spence's fault; had the government cared a button for the well-being of the industry things would be better.
Much the same as my mythical opium den; the owners don't care what happens provided the receipts exceed cost; and, they are out of Dodge when the notified 'raid' happens, traveling first class to a rock solid alibi. As it stands, it wouldn't matter if Spence resigned or not; the next incumbent would reflect the ministerial disinterest in anything other than the Chairman's lounge and first class transport.
But, suppose Spence 'pulled the plug' and there was a new DAS brought in; can you imagine the options for the new chum? Option one, attempt a full reconstruction and spend the next couple of years fighting the cliques and kitchen cabinets; or try to fire the lot and still have the ministerial guardians continuing to undermine and embarrass; then have to tackle the problems with the minister? Not a job I'd want, not even for a million. - (Would however sign on a chief baseball bat carrier, no charge for services rendered).
Aye well, that is my opinion of the Spence saga; a nice lady according to the pundits; but way, way out of her depth, powerless, manipulated and conned by snake oil salesmen. All terribly sad really.
Toot – toot..
It takes a bit of imagination to answer this question; but read beyond the poetic licence used and the parallels may be applied.
Q) Would you appoint a retired Mother Superior to manage an opium den, with gambling out front and a cat house out the back?
Course not; no more than allowing a newly minted PPL to manage a A380 across the polar regions; don't make any sense whatsoever. Yet somehow, some way for whatever reason Spence was appointed to run the CASA. Oh, no doubt she is a competent manager on the clerical side; probably knows which end the smoke comes out of in that system etc. But, in plain view, for all the world to see – is the complete mess CASA has degenerated into.
Watching 'Estimates' is a lot less fun than watching Test cricket or the footy. Those two events attract much, much more comment and discussion, even expert (and not so expert) opinion. But do the matches matter as much as who and how the aviation industry is managed by the autonomous 'authority'?
Consider the 'changes' since Spence took the reins; pay attention to the words spoken, the way they are spoken, the language and the clear lack of confidence in those words at any Estimates session since her rule began. Then watch for the little 'real estate/ car salesman type climb to an authoritative speaking role; moving from the far right of the table to the closest seat to Spence on the left as Spence demur's to his 'wisdom. . Make of that what you will.
The GA industry is slowly but surely declining, the only continuing improvement is to the CASA escape plans from any and all responsibility. Whether Spence has allowed the current mess to develop, either by accident or design is immaterial. The facts prove the decline, beyond any reasonable doubt. It ain't all Spence's fault; had the government cared a button for the well-being of the industry things would be better.
Much the same as my mythical opium den; the owners don't care what happens provided the receipts exceed cost; and, they are out of Dodge when the notified 'raid' happens, traveling first class to a rock solid alibi. As it stands, it wouldn't matter if Spence resigned or not; the next incumbent would reflect the ministerial disinterest in anything other than the Chairman's lounge and first class transport.
But, suppose Spence 'pulled the plug' and there was a new DAS brought in; can you imagine the options for the new chum? Option one, attempt a full reconstruction and spend the next couple of years fighting the cliques and kitchen cabinets; or try to fire the lot and still have the ministerial guardians continuing to undermine and embarrass; then have to tackle the problems with the minister? Not a job I'd want, not even for a million. - (Would however sign on a chief baseball bat carrier, no charge for services rendered).
Aye well, that is my opinion of the Spence saga; a nice lady according to the pundits; but way, way out of her depth, powerless, manipulated and conned by snake oil salesmen. All terribly sad really.
Toot – toot..