[Kharon]

The whirligig of time.

“Madam, why laugh you at such a barren rascal; an you smile not, he’s gagged?” and thus the whirligig of time brings in his revenges.

Its quite a story though ain’t it; who needs fiction, when reality is so much more twisted and bizarre. Had the FAA and NTSB tried to pull off a stunt like Pel-Air, there would be folk in goal, heads in baskets and a complete clean out of the rats nest, after a Senate committee inquiry. Not here though.

Do we blame those who allowed the law to be so ineffectual? Do we blame them who blatantly broke not only law, but policy, protocol, trust, good faith and confidence? Dare we ask why they acted as they did? Dare we ask why they were allowed to get away with this gross perversion, (twice now).

Will they dare do it again? No brainer, of course they will; in fact they already have. But the final insult comes in the form of the 'delighted', badge wearing, hi-viz Hood.  A man at the very heart of the Pel-Air aberration, decision maker, document signer, he who authorised every perversion possible of an investigation into an accident. No: you’re right, he did not act alone, but do you think Chambers could have manipulated audit and process without a willing accomplice to sign his devious little plots into being? Do you think Hood would have made things happen through his signature had he not had top cover from those above him? IMO Some acts committed during the McConvict era beggar belief; those of Chambers supported by Hood among the worst atrocities ever inflicted, with malice aforethought demand that CASA as part of their rehabilitation address those matters. None of it is ‘secret’, the industry knows what was done, by whom and why. Until these matters are properly addressed, the Senate recommendation enforced and the Forsyth ASRR fully acknowledged and instituted, there can be no hope for industry which knows, deep in it’s very heart, there ain’t any.

That same man, the main cog in a disgusting episode, is now in charge of our accident investigations.  The shambles Dolan left behind as an inheritance includes not only Pel-Air, but a legacy of flawed reports into accidents; a long list of serious incidents all of which may be repeated; and the scandal which MH370 is likely to become. The denial of legitimate requests under the FoI Act tells the tale very clearly. As head of ATSB Hood could release to the public, information which was gathered at public expense. As a matter of principal. What possibly could be so ‘secret’ or ‘sensitive’ that it cannot be released? It was after all supposed to a ‘Search’ in hope of rescue, with the option of recovery. What could prompt a response such as:-  

“would, or could reasonably be expected to, cause damage to the international relations of the commonwealth”

Pel-Air should have brought about a complete dismantling and restructuring of both CASA and the ATSB; it did not. Why, despite overwhelming evidence, did this not happen?

Why Mr. Hood can Australia not reveal its part in the MH370 search and supply the information requested? Why fuel the roaring flames of speculation on conspiracy to delude the public?  Too hard, then answer this – why is someone so deeply involved in Pel-Air, with a glaring conflict of interest and possibly charges to answer, now running the very agency which is investigating its own part in that disgraceful affair?

The international community, particularly those affected by MH370, who cannot obtain the information requested of your department, deserve that question answered at least.

I wonder how this fellah gets to sleep at night or can shave his face in the morning.  One good thing though, he can stop worrying about when Karen Casey’s ruling will be delivered – Thursday Greg, Supreme court, we’ll know by lunch time; then perhaps you will be able to release the often delayed report into your own investigation into your own part in wrongdoings of Pel-Air.

“Conscience is but a word that cowards use,
Devis'd at first to keep the strong in awe:
Our strong arms be our conscience, swords our law.
March on, join bravely, let us to't pell-mell;
If not to heaven, then hand in hand to hell.”

Selah.