[Kharon]

Of Puddings; and, the proof therein.

Cheers P2; it is a long grind to winnow out the grist. But ‘twas in a worthy cause, the research clearly defines one man’s vision of how Australia views ICAO compliance; lip service, escape clauses and a gold plated platform, writ in weasel words, to ease the minds of ministers, baffle the public and sate the ICAO appetite for ticks in boxes.

It all depends on your ‘point-of-view’. For an idiot like Chester it is, categorically, manna from heaven. Look back to Pel-Air, never a catspaw of breeze on the ministers calm pond; never a rumpled brow at the ICAO table; not a hint of apology from CASA or a whiff of remorse from ATSB. None required – they all acted within the sturdy protection of ‘the system’.

That the ‘safety system’ is designed to protect government and agencies; not the travelling public is of no concern. Not even a Senate committee of good men and true could shake the foundations of ‘the system’ and the Iron Wrong simply shrugged off such trivialities as Senate recommendations, ministerial directives and the ASRR.

So, from the PoV of those in the system, it works just fine and all is dandy. Even if ; gods forbid, the unthinkable happened, the time it would take, the process to be worked through and the multitude of escape hatches would preclude any meaningful changes even then. It will take something we simply have not got to change this; a minister with balls, brains and a backbone. A narcissist, with the brain power of a well trained racing rabbit, the backbone of a jell-fish and as much interest in rocking anyone’s boat as a drowning man has in water, will not ‘order’ the SSP shelf-wear to be dusted off and used.  Even then, ‘the system’ is a rigged game and the cycle continues – ad infinitum – only it will cost more now. Which suits everyone in ‘the system’ just fine.

So all is well at Sleepy Hollow and likely to remain that way for the foreseeable future. "As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be" etc.    

Selah.