"Don't know why you bother."
Those few words rasped through the workshop silence; I was just completing the last drawer of a 'workshop' - bench top tool box, -with a lid and three drawers for a very old 'family' friend. I had the latest 'Estimates' session playing in the background; usually, silence rules, so the words startled me. "What?" say's I (narrowly avoiding a lost digit). "this crap" says he, pointing at the screen. You know, he did have a good point. I left the tools where they were and got us both another Ale; it is not often that an ex (retired) Senior law enforcement type offers an opinion; so, I asked why. This was countered with a question - "how long have you watched this rubbish?' "About a decade I reckon, just became a habit I expect, why?" - "Well" say's he - not one of this crew, asking the questions have any idea of 'how' to ask 'the question'. This was followed by a brief but highly educational introduction as to 'how' to phrase a question - particularly when the answer is 'known' but needs to be brought into play; by those being questioned. The end game must be solid. In his opinion, the public servants would last about three minutes if he was asking the questions. Long (for him) conversation, but today I revisited the last Estimates session and listened and watched with 'new' eyes and ears. Remarkable difference.
The 'suspense' begins at about 3:00 mark, and continues into the Spence session, CASA and acolytes. We christened the S_ Spence page "Suspense" for two reasons, (a) because it is always 'sus' (suspicious) and (b) the suspense of waiting for Questions on Notice (QoN) to be answered. Aye, unlikely I know, but hope (as 'they' say) springs eternal. For instance - in the last session, there were no less than thirteen (13) QoN added to the 86 previous QoN awaiting answers published - alas.... Watch at the 04.20 mark - Senator Whitton asks some pretty basic questions related to an AOC holder 'stuck' unable to operate without a HOTAC ; but it is a Broome operation; and, CASA do have some big questions to answer about operations in that area - don't they? For example :-
"Thomas’s company Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures had leased the aircraft from his parents’ company West Coast Seaplanes Pty Ltd."
"At least three aircraft that Thomas owned or leased from his parents were lost at sea in the three years before he died."
"For them, the ATSB’s final report – released in April 2023 – created further questions about how Thomas had been able to get away with so much, for so long, and why so many people had been complicit."
So, is CASA just now being super cautious because of the unholy mess they aided and abetted, leading to body bags, wrecked aircraft, Coroners and Court. Now, the requirements for a HOTAC or HOFO are clearly set out; the operator proposes, CASA disposes. Take what? A day maybe two all up, (video conference maybe) so whats the hold up. They could even schedule a 'CASA' tea and biscuits in the area and spend a few days there; this is not rocket science. So why the delays?
The rest of the Estimates sessions all follow the same, tired, time worn track - managers who can't or won't answer a question and take it 'on notice' to respond sometime into the future. 'We' have fair idea of the 'QoN' which have never, not anywhere, been responded to - not publicly; unless you literally have days to waste ploughing through the internet rabbit holes; and even then, those questions are still begging reasonable, realistic, straight forward answers.
It all make you wonder - who's shagging who don't signify - it is who ultimately pays the bill for all of this 'Tom Foolery' - but you do know the answer, don't you children.
That's all - the video is above - start at about hour three - or don't as pleases you best.
Toot - toot
Those few words rasped through the workshop silence; I was just completing the last drawer of a 'workshop' - bench top tool box, -with a lid and three drawers for a very old 'family' friend. I had the latest 'Estimates' session playing in the background; usually, silence rules, so the words startled me. "What?" say's I (narrowly avoiding a lost digit). "this crap" says he, pointing at the screen. You know, he did have a good point. I left the tools where they were and got us both another Ale; it is not often that an ex (retired) Senior law enforcement type offers an opinion; so, I asked why. This was countered with a question - "how long have you watched this rubbish?' "About a decade I reckon, just became a habit I expect, why?" - "Well" say's he - not one of this crew, asking the questions have any idea of 'how' to ask 'the question'. This was followed by a brief but highly educational introduction as to 'how' to phrase a question - particularly when the answer is 'known' but needs to be brought into play; by those being questioned. The end game must be solid. In his opinion, the public servants would last about three minutes if he was asking the questions. Long (for him) conversation, but today I revisited the last Estimates session and listened and watched with 'new' eyes and ears. Remarkable difference.
The 'suspense' begins at about 3:00 mark, and continues into the Spence session, CASA and acolytes. We christened the S_ Spence page "Suspense" for two reasons, (a) because it is always 'sus' (suspicious) and (b) the suspense of waiting for Questions on Notice (QoN) to be answered. Aye, unlikely I know, but hope (as 'they' say) springs eternal. For instance - in the last session, there were no less than thirteen (13) QoN added to the 86 previous QoN awaiting answers published - alas.... Watch at the 04.20 mark - Senator Whitton asks some pretty basic questions related to an AOC holder 'stuck' unable to operate without a HOTAC ; but it is a Broome operation; and, CASA do have some big questions to answer about operations in that area - don't they? For example :-
"Thomas’s company Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures had leased the aircraft from his parents’ company West Coast Seaplanes Pty Ltd."
"At least three aircraft that Thomas owned or leased from his parents were lost at sea in the three years before he died."
"For them, the ATSB’s final report – released in April 2023 – created further questions about how Thomas had been able to get away with so much, for so long, and why so many people had been complicit."
So, is CASA just now being super cautious because of the unholy mess they aided and abetted, leading to body bags, wrecked aircraft, Coroners and Court. Now, the requirements for a HOTAC or HOFO are clearly set out; the operator proposes, CASA disposes. Take what? A day maybe two all up, (video conference maybe) so whats the hold up. They could even schedule a 'CASA' tea and biscuits in the area and spend a few days there; this is not rocket science. So why the delays?
The rest of the Estimates sessions all follow the same, tired, time worn track - managers who can't or won't answer a question and take it 'on notice' to respond sometime into the future. 'We' have fair idea of the 'QoN' which have never, not anywhere, been responded to - not publicly; unless you literally have days to waste ploughing through the internet rabbit holes; and even then, those questions are still begging reasonable, realistic, straight forward answers.
It all make you wonder - who's shagging who don't signify - it is who ultimately pays the bill for all of this 'Tom Foolery' - but you do know the answer, don't you children.
That's all - the video is above - start at about hour three - or don't as pleases you best.
Toot - toot