[Peetwo]

Hell; last exit 1 Km.

Well, today’s the day for Karen Casey. In the Supreme Court what is hoped to be the final ruling on her matter will be handed down. Obviously, it is a big day for Karen, the end of a long hard journey to a major life cross road. Time and space, free of the ‘case’ hanging over her head to make decisions and choose a new pathway; as she must. The learning, skill and experience which she worked so hard to gain to frame a career as a highly qualified Flight nurse is now a redundant memory, the career must seem like dream of a life which could have been. That now denied through no fault of her own.

We must however, for sake of clarity, separate the major items of this story into its basic elements if the messages and lessons within this twisted tale are to be fully understood.

The accident in essence seems simple enough to understand; and, taken a face value could be passed off as such, the aircraft ran out of fuel and ditched. End of. The complexities of how this event was allowed to occur reflect many of the ‘fault lines’ within the Australian safety oversight framework; particularly those within the CASA. Legal and operational flaws within the system which has, for three decades, been attempting to reform itself, chewing through an estimated AU$ 400,000,000 in the process to produce the current unusable, incompatible, huge volumes of regulation which do little except provide a guarantee of ‘safe conviction’ and incredible compliance costs. The calls for reform of both the regulator which exercises untrammelled power without responsibility; and, the laws which allow such burdens to be placed on industry have, thus far been loud, long and fruitless.

The investigation into the accident by the ATSB was the subject of a Senate inquiry. The revelations and recommendation stemming from that inquiry clearly and unequivocally proved that not only were the regulator and regulations flawed, but the 'system' could be manipulated to suit. The inquiry also proved that the ATSB was incapable of not only providing an impartial, honest, factual report of the accident; but could be persuaded to alter their findings to support the CASA escape from governmental embarrassment.

Despite the Senate inquiry and the ASRR and the Canadian TSBC reports, all concluding that there was a real need for real reform; nothing has changed for the better. In fact matters are worse now than they have ever been. Both major agencies have raised the drawbridge and wallow in denial, behind closed doors dedicated to bamboozling a hapless minister.

What has all of this to do with Karen and he day in court, you ask? Well, pretty much everything and nothing. Had the system not failed, in primus, then the accident may not have occurred. Had the system been ‘honest’ then Karen’s matter would have been resolved years ago and Bernie Curral may not have taken her own life. Had there not been so many system faults to cover over and the political imperative removed; the case could, indeed should, have led to a better safety net system being instituted several years and many millions of dollars ago. As matters stand now, nothing of benefit to the nation or the travelling public has eventuated.

From a purely ‘business’ perspective Karen’s case is a game changer. The cost of travel will increase as insurance premiums must rise to cover the additional compensation a ruling in Karen’s favour will generate. Had the responsible agencies simply done their jobs, properly, none of this would be occurring; or, at very least the matter would have been quietly consigned to the archives, no foul no penalty. The insane amounts of money this episode has cost the public beggars the imagination; the damage done incalculable. But, we are least spared the repair bill; the system just keeps rolling along, minister in tow, the whole thing swept to the side of the road and left there to become just another small pile of flyblown rot.

The courage, tenacity and strength Karen Casey has demonstrated to get through a terrible ordeal is remarkable. To loose one’s ability to work, live with constant pain, despair and doubt is enough to unhinge the strongest of us. To have to battle two powerful government agencies, major insurance companies and political interest, alone, without even the support of the worlds flight nurse associations is a daunting task; even for those hale, hearty and funded

Well, as I said, today draws a line in the sand for Karen; a watershed. Lets hope there is a holiday on the horizon, a chance to heal and return to herself. Win, loose or draw this one small lady has withstood a stern test, right to the end. Perhaps her courage will inspire the ATSB to finally publish their ‘report’ on the accident – heaven knows they have been waiting as long as Karen for this day.

Good luck today Kaz; you know the rest. Courage, and shuffle the cards.

Toot toot.

Good luck Karen.

Karen,

Hopefully after today you can put the worst behind you. The memories and pain will remain but they diminish over time. From the bottom of my heart I hope you get some peace and solace and you can start the healing process full swing, you find a place in your mind and heart that you can call home, a place where tranquility resides in its own safe sanctuary that nobody can take away from you.

P.S
The Styx Houseboat needs to pick up a few additional passengers in the near future. I'm sure Kharon won't mind if you take the wheel for a day or two!

Affectionately
Gobbles

Kaz Casey - Reflecting the sentiments of all of the above, I had all my fingers & toes crossed for a positive outcome today and it would appear that you will finally get the closure that you well and truly deserve... : Pel-Air Aviation Pty Ltd v Casey [2017] NSWCA 32 (9 March 2017) 

Well done that girl...


MTF...P2