[Kharon]

QUIT ! - NEVER – not going to happen - not a chance.

“A battle is won by the side that is absolutely determined to win. Why did we lose the battle of Austerlitz? Our casualties were about the same as those of the French, but we had told ourselves early in the day that the battle was lost, so it was lost.” (Tolstoy)....

Clearly the fundamental elements which make for good pilots and engineers are not understood by those who dabble on the fringes. Neither group is of a type which simply 'quit' when the going gets tough. Scratch the surface of an engineer or pilot, present a challenge - and watch the terrier emerge from under the mantle, no matter the size of the opposition – its 'game on'.

Or, to put that another way – would you expect the Ukraine to roll over for the Russians; or, Taiwan to build a bridge for the Chinese? No, of course not. The history of man on this planet is one of conflict; some of those massive WW1/ WW2 others smaller and nastier. No matter the size there are always two sides; blood, shit, sweat and tears abound until 'sanity' returns – sometimes.

The side which usually wins is the one which makes the least mistakes; when those errors pile up to the tipping point – something has to give. In our little war; sooner or later the people of this country will see the mess; count the cost and decide that they have been royalty shafted; millions upon millions pissed up the wall to prop up the myth and mystique of Australian 'aviation safety' while the rest of the world looks on in sympathy, shake their heads and go back to progress further; by carefully avoiding the Australian mistakes (see USA, NZ, UK, PNG, etc.).  Sooner that penny drops – the  better off we'll all be.

But dear Wombat – should you wish to toddle off and simply accept that there is no point, reason or even a need to continue; no one will hold it against you. Quit anytime you like, this game is too serious for dabblers.

Toot toot.

[Wombat]

Thank you. Wombats understand the "one big thing" like Archilochus's proverbial hedgehog:

When you are in a hole, stop digging.

[Sandy Reith]

Wombat your spray is is skewed to the worst of all worlds and your frustration is certainly well founded but I can’t agree with all of your characterisations.

There’s little hope that the present government will affect any real reform but we have to maintain pressure. I consider it a duty to do so, if nothing more than we are creating a trove of information that will one day inform some media people and politicians. And then to characterise me personally and others as “idiots” is not only unhelpful, I personally don’t take it seriously, but tells your suite of devils incarnate “you win!”

Talking of media, we need another Wagga type meeting with Glen Buckley’s case as the centre piece. Properly framed this could get some real interest going. Sky’s investigative crew in particular might just make a meal out of CASA.

[Peetwo]

Best Betts?

The world of politics is a strange one, alien and hostile to those outside the bubble; but for those who exist within to 'serve' the system, 'tis paradise and safe haven far removed from the harsh realities of life at the coal face. Between the 'coal face crew and the 'bubble crowd' (in theory at least) stand the 'elected mob'. Two flavours, Senators and Members – meat in the sandwich. The average mug can, with patience, actually get to sit down with one of the 'elected' and raise a topic of concern. We get to see this system in operation best at the alleged pinnacle of interface -  Senate Estimates sessions. The simple fact that a mockery of 'system' was managed by Sterle , who should know better, almost destroyed the small amount of faith and respect the aviation world has for him and damaged the standing of all who participated in the travesty. Take time and consider the video evidence – for this is what the aviation industry must deal with, if it is to survive. Can one believe in impossible things?

I daresay you haven't had much practice,' said the Queen. 'When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.

One impossible thing is the adoption of what is now the almost world wide 'gold standard' for aviation medical certification. A must have for those outside of the 'Tupperware' world. During the last episode of the Estimates show, you may have noticed Sen. Roberts labouring a few points and getting nowhere. Like many uniformed others, the questions seemed 'off' until he patiently explained the strategy on the last AOPA video session. Tick the boxes for 'good idea', solid tactics and a good place to start next Estimates. How many 'good men and true' have we now seen try to batter down the walls surrounding the CASA paradise? Lots of, is the short answer. History supports this as unimpeachable fact.

“It has always seemed to me that so long as you produce your dramatic effect, accuracy of detail matters little. I have never striven for it and I have made some bad mistakes in consequence. What matter if I hold my readers?”

Perhaps someone could explain to the good Senator that despite three decades of 'fact' delivered through 'Inquiry' which accurately predicted the future, so clearly displayed today have preceded his gambit. Step back only a short time to the Forsyth review, read the recommendations of men like Fawcett, Xenophon, Heffernan and other members of that committee – then search for evidence to support those recommendations translated into reality. Or; if that is too far back; ask what has become of the 2020 inquiry, Sen. McDonald's dabble into 'reform'. History, good Sir is against your efforts, laudable though they are.

“Those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it.”

Perhaps it is time to change tack. Jim Betts seems to be an able, honest man open to reason and pragmatic. If the 'system' cannot be changed by external forces; then the solution must come from within. There are countless examples of ASA, ATSB and CASA wriggling off the hook and escaping to continue life as they please; but maybe internal pressure from the DoIT (Mandarins) and Betts, may rein in the unfettered waste and refusal to join the worlds leading nations in 'fostering and promoting' aviation as a valuable contributor to the national well being and the budget. There's gold in them thar wings – if you could but see it.

Toot – toot...E&OE...

Meanwhile it seems the miniscule remains on message to white paper over and use CASA to net zero GA and small businesses out of existence...

Federal Government hosts Sustainable Aviation Forum

28 February 2023



Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King cuts a ribbon to celebrate the first flight in Australia of a helicopter running sustainable aviation fuel at Avalon 2023. (Steve Hitchen)

The Federal Government today hosted a roundtable at the Australian International Airshow to discuss the design and goals of a Jet Zero-style council aimed at reducing carbon emissions in aviation and achieving a sustainable future for the sector.
Jet Zero is a UK initiative that partners government with the private sector to introduce at least 10% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the UK by 2030.

The Avalon roundtable was attended by government, airline, aviation fuels, finance, research, manufacturing and other aviation industry representatives.

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said the roundtable was part of the Albanese government's determinaton to ensure the aviation sector supports the emissions reduction targets on the path to net zero by 2050, while remaining strong and growing jobs and innovation.

"We’ve recently signalled very clearly that we’ll establish a Jet Zero council here in Australia and I’ve just hosted a consultation meeting which included representatives of regional airlines, regional airports, including representative of general aviation as well, to talk about how do we look at developing a sustainable aviation fuel industry here in Australia," she told Australian Flying.

"A lot is happening. We heard from BP about developments over in Western Australia, and I think they’re incredibly promising. We’ve heard about the difficulties with feedstock, the difficulties with cost, and we’re really trying to look at how government can work.

"The aviation white paper definitely will include capacity for local development [and allow] us to consult widely. But the Jet Zero Council really is the body that’s been established to bring together all of the work in SAF and to try to see whether we can get a good domestic industry that is affordable.

"If we don’t, we’re going to be importing this fuel. It’s critical, particularly for large airlines, Qantas and Virgin, that they meet their net zero targets, and I also want to see the opportunities for SAF out in our regions, being able to produce feedstock, being able to look at how we can create a good income stream and maybe an export industry.

Whilst SAF is used purely in turbine engines, the minister said that all future aviation powerplants were put under the microscope, including those currently powered by 100LL avgas.

"There were certainly discussions about a whole range of things from synthetic fuels right the way through to electric aircraft. Rex [Regional Express] was talking a little bit about what they’re doing out at Wagga and the research there.

"There we discussions with the sugar industry about what they’re doing in relation to ethanol, so a lot of the early, preliminary discussions are about the future, but of course part of my job and part of the government’s commitment is to net zero by 2050 and we can’t get there without the transport sector and we can’t get there without the aviation sector also doing its bit, but the government has to help facilitate that."

The minister said that the work of the Jet Zero Council will complement the aviation white paper, which has a priority of how to maximise the aviation sector’s contribution to achieving net zero carbon emissions, including through sustainable aviation fuel and emerging technologies.

  

MTF...P2 

[Peetwo]

DARD yet to release (WOFTAM) Aviation White Paper TOR submissions?? 

I know it has only been a week since the close of submissions for the White Paper consult on the terms of reference. However you would have thought this was long enough (even in Can'tberra bubble timescales) for the AWPB (Aviation White Paper Branch -  ) to review and publish the submissions?

Anyway on perusal of the AWPB webpages - see HERE - it would appear that the ToR has already been finalised? Or am I missing something?? 

Aviation White Paper: Terms of Reference

Purpose

The White Paper will explore the likely future trends in aviation over the period to 2050 and articulate long-term policy directions to set the scene for the next generation of growth and innovation in the aviation sector.

Through the White Paper, the Government will promote an efficient, safe, sustainable and competitive Australian aviation sector, that is critical to the economy and the standard of living of all Australians. The White Paper will consider future trends on the wide range of actors within the aviation sector, including airports and their local communities, government, ground staff, flight crews, freight users, domestic and international airlines through to the travelling public.

Scope and themes

The White Paper will examine the Government policy and economic reforms necessary to promote efficiency, safety, sustainability and competitiveness of the aviation sector out to 2050. Areas to be considered include:

• aviation’s role in economic development, trade and the visitor economy – general, domestic, regional and international aviation;
  
• how to maximise the aviation sector’s contribution to achieving net zero carbon emissions including through sustainable aviation fuel and emerging technologies;
  
• changing aviation technologies and ways to position our policies, regulations and systems to encourage uptake and manufacturing of new, more efficient, transport technologies;
  
• airport development planning processes and consultation mechanisms that consider the impact and changing nature of aircraft noise and related expectations on the role of noise sharing and noise mitigation;
  
• how to support and regenerate Australia’s general aviation sector;
  
• future industry workforce skills and training requirements;
  
• appropriate consumer protections and access to services;
  
• maintaining fit-for-purpose aviation safety, air navigation and aviation security systems and service delivery agencies;
  
• the role of airlines and airports in supporting regional economies; and
  
• other significant issues raised during the consultation process.
  

Outcome

The White Paper will clearly articulate the Commonwealth Government’s policies on desired aviation outcomes in relation to efficiency, safety, sustainability and competitiveness to ensure the sector is appropriately positioned to deliver aviation services for the Australian public and international visitors out to 2050.

The White Paper will not seek to replicate work underway through processes like the Employment White Paper, THRIVE 2030 strategy or Sustainable Aviation Fuel and the to be established Jet Zero-style Council. Instead the Paper will build and help cement priorities coming out of these processes into a long-term vision for Australian aviation.

Output

The White Paper will set overarching principles and directions for aviation over the short/medium/long term, including concrete actions over the next five years to help position the sector to achieve these directions.

Timeframes and deliverables

• Green Paper, released mid-2023 – outline key challenges and opportunities for the aviation sector to enable government, industry and community to give feedback on Green Paper proposals
  
• White Paper, released in first half of 2024 – authoritative, in-depth report, drawing on feedback from the Green Paper.
  

Hmm...anyway here's a bit of coverage and a few submissions that have been made publicly available...

Via Oz Flying:

White Paper ToRs don't address Current Issues: RAAA

17 March 2023

The Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Federal Government's White Paper don't properly address current issues in the aviation industry, according to a submission made by the Regional Aviation Association of Australia (RAAA).

Accompanied by a cover letter signed by RAAA CEO Steve Campbell dated 8 March, the submission focuses on the purpose of the ToRs and a perceived lack of understanding of the aviation industry.

"The RAAA recognises the importance of a forward-looking White Paper, however, we are concerned that the focus asset out in the Purpose section does not articulate clearly the need to overcome current burdens on the industry," the submission states.

"There is a need to understand where the industry is at today before you can assume what it will be tomorrow. The RAAA would like to see a statement that will ensure, through this process, that a snapshot of the health of the industry is undertaken to better understand what levers can be used to bridge the gap to what will be required in the years ahead."

The ToRs, which were open to public consultation from 7 February to 10 March, covered:

• aviation’s role in economic development, trade and the visitor economy – general, domestic, regional and international aviation
  
• how to maximise the aviation sector’s contribution to achieving net zero carbon emissions including through sustainable aviation fuel and emerging technologies
  
• changing aviation technologies and ways to position our policies, regulations and systems to encourage uptake and manufacturing of new, more efficient, transport technologies
  
• airport development planning processes and consultation mechanisms that consider the impact and changing nature of aircraft noise and related expectations on the role of noise sharing and noise mitigation
  
• how to support and regenerate Australia’s general aviation sector
  
• future industry workforce skills and training requirements
  
• appropriate consumer protections and access to services
  
• maintaining fit-for-purpose aviation safety, air navigation and aviation security systems and service delivery agencies
  
• the role of airlines and airports in supporting regional economies
  
• other significant issues raised during the consultation process.
  

According to the RAAA, much of what the white paper seeks to understand is already available through the previous government's policy for the recovery of the aviation sector published in December 2020.

"Whilst this is obviously an important metric to understand, work on understanding this ‘role’ of aviation has already been undertaken in the previous government’s paper on The Future of Australia’s Aviation Sector – Flying to Recovery in 2020.

"The paper opens with this statement: Aviation is central to Australia’s economy and quality of life. Aviation underpins Australian business: transporting workers, tourists and high value freight. The sector directly employed over 90,000 people and contributed $20 billion to the economy before COVID-19. Furthermore, the sector indirectly enables the tourism, mining, manufacturing and higher education sectors.

"So the need for further deep dives into understanding the value of the aviation industry seems unnecessary and could possibly lead to distraction from the main value of the white paper in addressing policy issues the industry are facing now and into the future."

In addressing the ToRs, the RAAA submission has also raised concerns about:

• the need for a clear pathway to net-zero emissions by 2050
  
• encouraging new technology manufacture in Australia
  
• making airport lease-holders accountable under the Airports Act
  
• maintenance training pathways
  
• the cost of security systems at regional airports
  

On the matter of general aviation, the RAAA points out in the submission that the government's push to achieve net-zero emissions by adopting Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) has placed some doubt on fuel supplies for GA.

"It is also important to understand how the move to net zero could affect GA in fuel and technological advances," the RAAA believes. "All these new technologies come at a fairly hefty cost, something that we would like to understand [is] how the government thinks GA can overcome these hurdles.

"Our current GA fleet cannot operate on SAF (mostly) and there is increasing uncertainty around the supply of avgas at regional airports."

The Federal Government has not yet called for submissions to the green paper that will precede the white paper, prompting the RAAA to commit to reviewing the green paper when it is published and raising new issues that may be overlooked.
The full submission to the white paper ToRs is on the RAAA website.

Plus:

2/ BFPCA submission:

BFPCA has written a detailed submission in response to the draft Terms of Reference for the Aviation White Paper.

3/ FFOZ Terms of reference submission: https://flightfree.net.au/aviation-white...sultation/

4/ Australian Lawyers Alliance submission: https://www.lawyersalliance.com.au/documents/item/2414

MTF...P2 

[Peetwo]

miniscule historical favouring of Big-Regulator CASA?? 

A run through the miniscule's official media page finds a true a'la King on matters aviation - see HERE . Unless of course you happen to be considering going into the drone business...

New research shows benefits will soar as Australia's drone use takes off

Quotes attributable to Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:

“As drone technology continues to evolve, research like this is critical to ensure we know the opportunities open to us – as well as the challenges.

“This report makes it clear that drones present unique opportunities for a range of different sectors to operate more cheaply, safely and in an environmentally friendly way.

“This includes in life-saving sectors such as emergency services and disaster management, where drones have the potential to help us undertake critical functions such as early fire detection – while unlocking productivity gains and economic growth.

“This capacity for change is why our Government continues to provide the regulatory, policy and other support needed to adopt new and emerging aviation technology such as drones.

“We will continue to play this important leadership role, working closely with stakeholders, to make the most of this emerging technology – in a way that best supports communities, aviation safety and the environment.”

P2 comment: Hmm...what's with this attribution bollocks?? 

Here's a reminder of the miniscule's past stance on matters related to the Big-Regulator CASA and the aviation industry:

One from Google...  

CATHERINE KING – MEDIA RELEASE – MORRISON GOVERNMENT CUTS TO CASA RISK AVIATION SAFETY – WEDNESDAY, 21 OCTOBER 2020

A senate inquiry into general aviation has heard of the urgent need for the Morrison Government to support the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

In its Senate submission Professionals Australia, who represent workers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, has found that over recent years, staffing numbers in CASA’s Southern Region office – covering Victoria, Tasmania and regional New South Wales – have dropped from 53 to just 24.

At the same time, the submission finds that the number of full-time CASA Safety Systems Inspector positions in Brisbane has fallen from 6 to 1.4.

For those staff who do remain, morale has plummeted with less than one third of employees feeling that their work was valued by the organisation.

CASA is an essential safety agency. It regulates Australian aviation, licensing pilot, registering aircraft and ensuring that our aviation sector remains safe.

Australia’s proud record of aviation safety is due in large part to the hard work of people at CASA. If they are to continue to keep Australians safe in the air, workplace standards and sufficient staffing levels will need to be maintained.

It up to the Morrison Government to deliver the support this agency and its staff need.

Failing to do so poses serious risks to Australia’s travelling community.

WEDNESDAY, 21 OCTOBER 2020

Professionals Australia submission: https://www.aph.gov.au/DocumentStore.ash...bId=694670

Hmm...so a'la King actually acknowledged the existence of the Senate GA Inquiry? However as the miniscule she is yet to see fit to respond to the interim report findings of that inquiry?? - FDS! 

'To be or not to be' - 2020 to 2022??



GA Senate Inquiry in Limbo

7 October 2022


The future of the Senate Legislation Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport (RRAT) inquiry into the general aviation industry remains in limbo as it has yet to be re-referred to the senate after the federal election held in May.


All senate inquiries lapse when parliament is prorogued, and if they are to continue in the new parliament, need to be re-referred to the senate committee.

Five months after the election, the nearly three-year-old GA industry inquiry remains lapsed.

Although former RRAT Chair Senator Susan McDonald has asked for the inquiry to be referred back, the office of new RRAT chair Senator Glenn Sterle told Australian Flying that no comment on the inquiry would be possible until the ALP government had responded to the interim report tabled last March.

The GA inquiry was self-referred to the RRAT committee in December 2019 with an interim reporting date of December 2020 and a final report one year later. COVID restrictions later forced that to be modified to March 2022. The deadlines were changed again with the interim report being tabled in March 2022 with the final report due on 20 October 2022.

However, the federal election intervened and forced the inquiry into a lapsed state.

One of the early supporters of the GA inquiry was the Regional Aviation Association of Australia (RAAA). Current CEO Steve Campbell said the GA inquiry needed to be closed off so all the work put in by the GA community wouldn't go to waste,

"We'd like to see the GA inquiry completed; a lot of work has gone into it and it would be a shame to see it not go through to fruition," he said. "Hopefully the committee will find some good recommendations to give to the government to ease the burden on general aviation.

"We've come this far, and it's important for the general aviation community to see that government's genuinely interested in finding solutions."

The GA community has raised concerns that the ALP will disregard the work done by the senate inquiry in favour of doing a new White Paper, which has been their policy since well before the election. Doing so would further delay any revitalising measures.

"The GA inquiry has been going for a couple of years already and we've said to the government that if we know there are some solutions now, we want the government to act on it now ... we don't want to wait for another two-year process to tell us what we already know," Campbell said.

"The GA inquiry has already uncovered some things that can be worked on, and the government should start working on them straight away."

The office of Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King has been contacted for comment about responding to the interim report.

MTF...P2 

[Sandy Reith]

Don’t mention the even more extensive and thorough Government inquiry in 2014.
The Aviation Safety Regulation Review (Forsyth Report) covered all the failings of the CASA induced dysfunctional environment for the much beleaguered General Aviation (GA) industry.

Government agreed with nearly all of the recommendations then did nothing to implement the reforms.

Situation normal, all talk no action because there’s never been a Minister or backbencher with the intellect and courage to advocate for the GA community. Australia is all the poorer for this sad reality, and, as far as I’m aware and would love to be corrected, not one MP, has made point of consideration the National security aspects of a strong GA sector including the preservation of airports.

[Peetwo]

Proof miniscule has acquired ADPS? 

 (ADPS - acute decision-making paralysis syndrome) 

Having now sat through most of Monday's RRAT Budget Estimates, now confirmed in Hansard, by far and away the biggest theme of the day was that miniscule a' la King is consistently MIA when it comes to matters requiring ministerial office approval and it's not just in aviation...  

Here's some examples:

      

For the record HERE is the Hansard link for Monday's session, where I can guarantee you'll find several more examples of the miniscule MIA??  

Doesn't bode well for the progress of the GWEP Mark II (Great White Elephant Paper) - 

Perhaps Senator Sterle could put an alarm clock in the miniscule's office...  

 

MTF...P2 

[Kharon]

Fair warning..timely delivery..

In good faith and with the best of intentions; I think it is only fair to send the incumbent 'minister' a timely warning with regard to the possibility of a huge lump of horse dung landing on her desk; some time between now and the new year. I say 'possibility' but in truth, it is quite possibly a racing certainty, unless some steps are taken to avoid the event.

“... truth, whose mother is history, who is the rival of time, depository of deeds, witness of the past, example and lesson to the present, and warning to the future.”

The minister may only be vaguely aware that the Glen Buckley matter has not, nor is it likely to simply go 'away'. This is fact Ma'am; not faerie tale, not rumour, not a storm in a tea cup; it is a living, fire breathing 'bastard' which the minister will be forced to confront; no escape, non. A veritable shit storm – no matter what measures are taken to put a lid on the escaped genie.

“Persons attempting to find a motive in this narrative will be prosecuted; persons attempting to find a moral in it will be banished; persons attempting to find a plot in it will be shot.”

We shall, despite Twain's dire warning be examining the motives – those which have been carefully concealed as to exactly 'why' Buckley's business model and operation (hopes and aspirations) were so 'suddenly' and arbitrarily, just wiped off the board. 'Why' and 'what- for' and to the benefit of whom is the story we have been prosecuting. Beware minister; the 'facts' are all there. Here is a clue, the inestimable 'Sandy' has shone a clear light on one small, but very, very important 'element'. This is an element with impeccable, rock solid evidence to support the cases – many of. Who can afford the massive costs incurred in a 'fight-back'? For to do so would beggar them and their families. For who can match CASA on a dollar basis in a high court? Not too many who were deprived of their living. Easy enough to beat a poor man.

Sandy - “What might be canvassed in a future video is how CASA prevented Glen from working as a pilot for another operator after they shut him down for no good reason. What has happened here couldn’t be worse than your most severe nightmare that waking doesn’t stop.”

Consider but one line from that so accurate analysis:-

“how CASA prevented Glen from working as a pilot for another operator after they shut him down for no good reason?”

Consider what that means; in real terms'. A whole life spent dedicated to one craft – decades spent becoming a 'master' artisan in the field; thousands of hours spent in perfecting the skills required; many checks and tests to prove competence. In short a 'professional' – stripped of all he 'is' – in a heartbeat – gone and all that remains:-

“Who in the world am I? - Ah, that's the great puzzle.”

And so dear minister – do you imagine that Buckley is the only victim of this enforced destruction of 'being'? He is not – not by a long shot he ain't. He is however representative of a body of skilled, competent, qualified airman who have had careers not only 'halted' but decimated by the covert actions of CASA personnel acting behind the screen of their position to destroy all hope, dignity and self esteem of those they could never, not ever, emulate or be compared with. The tales of woe are not only very real but entirely substantive – the only reason they are not on the public record is very simple. Strip a man of his income, credentials, dignity and reputation and there simply is no money to fight the Commonwealth all the way to the high court. The 'Dromader' tale took a decade and a million bucks to vindicate the pilot and was settled – as per usual - “on the court steps'.

Suggestion – duck the Buckley case – pay him out, restore his business and think yourself lucky for a narrow escape. That is a whole lot better than unleashing the rage of this industry and the many tales (supported) it can tell.

“Nay, indeed, if you had your eyes, you might fail of the knowing me: it is a wise father that knows his own child. Well, old man, I will tell you news of your son: give me your blessing: truth will come to light; murder cannot be hid long; a man’s son may, but at the length truth will out.“

Toot – toot... ( some of 'us' do dance to a different drummer - we do - really).

[Sandy Reith]

Peetwo describes lack of decision making as a disease :-
“ADPS - acute decision-making paralysis syndrome”

This disease occurs when a head in the sand approach has become habitual.

Unfortunately this has all become institutionalised with regard to aviation since Minister Gareth Evans persuaded Parliament, in 1988, to ditch the Westminster principle of Ministerial responsibility in the important area aviation. Diminish the responsibility diminishes the need for decisions.

Retreating from the path of responsible governance was accomplished by creating an independent corporation (now the Civil Aviation Safety Authority) to take over what had always been the direct responsibility of a Government Minister. Reading Hansard of the day few saw (self included) the wrong in principle or forecast a deleterious outcome for General Aviation (GA). But slow harm to GA, death by a thousand cuts, even untold economic losses to Australia, is nothing compared to the deliberate destruction of an individual is against all norms of our democracy and common decency.

Glen Buckley’s case is incredible, he has described it himself as bizarre, but it isn’t, because, as Karon says, he is not the first. Not by a long shot. The CASA modus operandi has had many years of refinement and steadily becoming more brazen and arrogant.

It’s time to lance the boil.
Ring, write contact your local MP and State Senators, support Glen Buckley.
https://gofund.me/1799a035

[Peetwo]

Via the AP blog: 

Discussion with Glen Buckley - Update on the ongoing APTA saga.



Courtesy Sandy Reith, via Facebook: 

Sandy Reith

To anyone with interest in the concept of the Aussie fair go, and the expectation that our Commonwealth Government acts responsibly according to its own published standards and strictly adheres to the law please take the time to view and assess this video.

This video shows an example of bureaucracy at its arrogant worst and the unjustified persecution of an individual, Glen Buckley. The video does not touch on how the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), having smashed his model flying school business and sent him broke, then prevented him from being employed as an instructor with another flying school.

I have never met Glen, I have no connection or interest other than to see full recompense to Glen and his family and that CASA be held accountable to the Australian people for its unconscionable, unnecessary and unjust behaviour.

This exposure should be a wake up call to Parliament and the whole of the Public Service that rule by independent monopoly Commonwealth corporations instead of traditional Departments with Minister at head, is a wrong model of governance. The Westminster system is about direct Ministerial responsibility being the best line of control back to us the electors.

Websites AuntyPru and PPRuNE for more information.

If you feel that we must fight back, support Glen by donating:-

https://gofund.me/1799a035

The correspondence that started it all:







AP reference: https://auntypru.com/wp-content/uploads/...-OF-18.pdf

MTF...P2 

[Peetwo]

miniscule a' la King actually mentions the "A-word"?? -   

Via Twitter:

Catherine King MP
@CatherineKingMP

We rely on aviation, but to reach our net zero targets we have to find a way to cut aviation emissions.

Today we announced the members the jet zero council & $30 million of funding for sustainable aviation fuel.

https://t.co/0HldnG87d5
@Bowenchris @ALeighMP

Plus via the above link.. :

Introduction

On 21 June 2023, the Australian Government announced the establishment of the Australian Jet Zero Council.

The council brings together a cross-section of senior stakeholders from across the aviation sector and its supply chains to lead efforts to deliver net zero aviation in Australia. The council will also coordinate across the sector to provide advice to Government on issues related to the aviation industry’s transition to net zero emissions

The council’s work will complement the Government’s Aviation White Paper, which will set the scene for the next generation of growth and development across the aviation sector.

About the council
The Terms of Reference set out the council’s responsibilities and activities.

Australian Jet Zero Council Terms of Reference

Objectives

The council’s objectives are to:

1. Provide senior industry leadership on efforts to achieve net zero aviation in Australia;
   
2. Provide coordinated advice to the Australian Government, through the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, on policy and regulatory issues related to facilitating the aviation industry’s transition to net zero. This could cover issues including, but not limited to:
   
   
   1. the development of a sustainable aviation fuel industry (e.g. production, refining, transport and logistics capabilities) and other net zero capabilities that will create Australian jobs, having regard to Australia’s competitive advantages and commercial feasibility considerations;
      
   2. other measures that will reduce aviation emissions at least cost to industry, government and consumers, having regard to competitive neutrality considerations; and
      
   3. measures to enhance Australia’s aviation fuel security supply chains;
      
3. Promote, mobilise and galvanise industry efforts to decarbonise aviation.
   

Membership

The Chair convenes the council and sets its Terms of Reference and membership. The membership of the council may change over time as its focus evolves.

Organisations selected for the Council are:



* - indicates a rotating seat. The holder of each rotating seat is appointed for a one-year term, with membership to be refreshed on an annual basis.

Members are expected to consult widely within their respective industry sectors.

Council documents

Meeting minutes from council meetings and annual reports will be published here.

Secretariat

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts provides secretariat support to the council. The AJZC Secretariat can be contacted via:

Email

AJZC.Secretariat@infrastructure.gov.au

Post

Australian Jet Zero Council Secretariat
Domestic Aviation and Reform Division
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts
GPO Box 594
CANBERRA ACT 2601

From Senate Estimates:

Hmm...so the miniscule (after 6 months of procrastination) has decided to make herself the Chair of the now constituted Jet Zero council - WTD??   

MTF...P2 


My chip in – don't see why the minuscule need worry about 'jet zero' at all. The way things are there's hardly anyone left to fly 'em; or to fix 'em; or anywhere left to land 'em. CASA has just about accomplished 'zero' aviation all by 'em selves. Give it five years and we will be back to horse and carts; until animal's right take over – ye gods; the methane levels will sky rocket and it will all start again. I'm looking to buy my cave now, before the prices escalate and the developers move in.. 'K'...

[Peetwo]

WOW! Miniscule Dickie King mentions aviation, safety regulation and CASA in one Media Release?? -   

Talking about pictures worth a 1000 words, how about a title worth a 1000 words? The title to the latest pre-prepared word weasel confection to come from the miniscule's office absolutely nails the total disconnection with all reality the Albo Govt and this miniscule have when it comes to the dire straits the aviation industry in this country finds itself...  

"Ensuring world-leading aviation safety regulation"

The Australian Government has issued a new Statement of Expectations for Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), setting the strategic direction for the next two years.

I have also re-appointed Ms Elizabeth Hallett to the CASA Board for a three-year term.

The new statement and board re-appointment will both underpin CASA’s vital aviation safety role, so they continue to be a world-leading aviation safety regulator.

From licensing pilots and registering aircraft, to overseeing aviation safety and awareness, CASA help ensure we share the skies safely – whether for travel, freight or recreation.

Ensuring aviation safety remains the highest priority is strongly reflected in the new statement, which also outlines expectations surrounding transparency, engaging stakeholders and communities, and supporting the delivery of 18 important initiatives.

These aviation safety-bolstering initiatives include measures to modernise airspace management, implement satellite-based augmentation systems in the aviation environment, share safety information, and advance Australia’s space policies and industries.

Ms Hallett’s legal expertise and strategic leadership experience will continue to be an asset to the Board, ensuring strong leadership that supports CASA as they strive to meet these expectations.

I look forward to continuing to work with CASA as we keep Australia’s skies safe.

For more information on CASA, visit www.casa.gov.au/.

To see the full Statement of Expectations for July 2023 to June 2025, visit the Federal Register of Legislation www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2023L00920.

Hmm...as an aside it is interesting that this bit from BJ's SOE has been kept in?  - 

(g) provide regulatory oversight for major aerodrome infrastructure projects, including significant new runway projects, as well as advising me and the Department on federal airport developments;

Again, all just words on a page with absolutely zero legal obligation on CASA to actually comply with the miniscule's worthless wish list...



MTF...P2 

PS Hmm...so much for BJ's 'GA workplan' - 

Oh Aye - P7 addendum - (courtesy W.S.).

Who is Silvia? what is she,
    That all our swains commend her?
Holy, fair, and wise is she;
    The heaven such grace did lend her,
That she might admirèd be.

Is she kind as she is fair?
    For beauty lives with kindness.
Love doth to her eyes repair,
    To help him of his blindness;
And, being helped, inhabits there.

Then to Silvia let us sing,
    That Silvia is excelling;
She excels each mortal thing
    Upon the dull earth dwelling;
To her let us garlands bring



(Sotto voce ) - Bollocks.....

[Peetwo]

Dickie King appoints new ASA Board Members and the invisible Manning replaced at PJ HQ?? - 

Miniscule finally mentions the "A" word with appointments to Airservices Board and to the ATSB commission. Apparently attributed to DK -  :

New Airservices Australia Board appointees

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Air Marshall (Ret’d) Melvin Hupfeld AO DSC and Ms Nicolle Connelly to the board of Airservices Australia.

The appointment of Mr Hupfeld recognises his extensive experience in complex information systems and as a military and civilian pilot.

His depth of connections within the Department of Defence and broader government will greatly assist Airservices’ delivery of its strategic change program, including the OneSKY partnership with Defence.

Ms Connelly is an Associate Professor and Assistant Associate Dean of Aerospace Engineering and Aviation at RMIT, with an extensive history in aviation operations and safety issues across academia, government and within the airline industry, including almost 30 years as an air traffic controller and manager at Airservices. She has a comprehensive understanding of Australia’s aviation system.

Mr Hupfeld and Ms Connelly have been appointed for four and three-year terms respectively.

Together their wealth of knowledge and experience will help shape and govern Airservices Australia as it navigates future opportunities and challenges.

These appointments follow the reappointment of Ms Anne Brown to the Airservices board, along with the issuing of a new ministerial statement of expectations earlier this year.

I look forward to continuing to work with the Airservices Board to ensure Australia’s aviation industry remains among the safest in the world and a world-class leader.

Airservices Australia is responsible for 11 per cent of the world’s airspace, manages Australia’s skies, aviation rescue firefighting services and helps grow Australia’s aviation industry.

For more information visit www.airservicesaustralia.com.

And:

Mr Peter Wilson appointed ATSB Commissioner

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Peter Wilson to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) Commission.

The appointment of Mr Wilson recognises his significant operational and senior executive experience in leadership and corporate roles across the aviation sector.

Mr Wilson accumulated approximately 17,500 professional flying hours over an operational career spanning almost 30 years at Qantas Airways, along with senior leadership experience at Virgin Australia and Tiger Air.

His experience at Australian airlines has included technical managerial roles, Chief Pilot, General Manager and Chief Operating Officer.

Mr Wilson has served on a number of boards and will bring to the ATSB high levels of technical expertise, experience and credibility across the aviation industry.

This appointment ensures that the ATSB’s Commission continues to have high levels of experience across rail, maritime and air transport – the three modes of transport for which they have investigatory responsibility.

I look forward to continuing to work with the ATSB Commission to ensure the highest transport safety for the Australian public through independent investigations and influencing safety action.

 
Plus via Oz Aviation:

VETERAN QANTAS PILOT AND AVIATION EXECUTIVE TAKES KEY ATSB ROLE

written by Jake Nelson | August 8, 2023



ATSB aviation commissioner Peter Wilson. (Image: ATSB)
A former Qantas chief pilot and airline executive has been appointed as the ATSB’s new aviation commissioner.

Peter Wilson, who began working for the Flying Kangaroo as a pilot in 1985, has around 17,500 professional flight hours and has held numerous executive positions, including COO and interim CEO of Tigerair as well as COO of Qantas...

MTF...P2 

[Peetwo]

Dickie King's ineptitude on Jet Zero Council continues?? -    

Albo's grand plan to Gross Zero aviation for all of the Oz aviation industry (except Qantas, RAAF, UAV's and eVTOLs) is off to a rocky start with Dickie King's inept oversight of the JZC, courtesy the Oz:

Jet Zero Council is about to meet for the first time but critics query its leadership and time frame



Concerns have been raised about the seriousness of a “Jet Zero Council” after an agenda was circulated to members revealing just two hours has been set down for its first meeting.

The federal government has established the council in an effort to steer the aviation industry towards its goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Transport Minister Catherine King has been appointed chair of the council, and according to the terms of reference will provide co-ordinated advice on its progress – to herself.

The 14 organisations represented on the council include airlines, airports, manufacturers, research bodies, defence and fuel, and finance companies – most of whom will fly to Brisbane on Tuesday for the two-hour meeting.

In that time frame, the council is expected to work through seven agenda items, including “updates and observations” from each organisation represented.

That will be followed by a presentation on the CSIRO and Boeing’s 144-page sustainable aviation fuels road map.

Then members will take part in discussions on a work plan identifying six priority items.

These include setting up a national framework so travellers can volunteer to pay for their own sustainable aviation fuel, in the same way as airline customers can opt to offset their flights.

“Building SAF literacy and social licence” was another priority, seen as essential for the growth and adoption of the industry.

“Educating the public, feedstock producers, the investment community and businesses about the potential of SAF and other lower carbon aviation propulsion technologies will assist in building the social environment and public confidence necessary to support the transition to net zero,” the work plan said.

“This would help dispel misinformation, guard against perceptions of greenwashing and showcase the inherent safety and sustainability of new technologies and the commercial opportunities available.”



The terms of reference allow for just two meetings a year to take place, and no one other than Ms King is allowed to speak on, or represent, the council without her permission.

In the event the code of conduct was breached, Ms King could remove the person from the council, and ask for that organisation to appoint another representative.

A source close to the council said the size of the challenge facing members was not really reflected in the time allocated for the meeting, or the “last minute” distribution of many pages of agenda items on Friday.

However, the source and others on the council said it was still the best chance of progressing to aviation’s net zero target and establishing a significant SAF industry.

Ms King previously surprised aviation industry leaders by suggesting high speed rail along the east coast would “get planes out of the sky and decarbonise aviation”.

It was then left to her spokeswoman to state the minister’s commitment to the aviation industry.

“Plane travel is the way Australians connect with countries and people overseas,” the spokeswoman said.

Qantas and Virgin Australia have both publicised emissions reduction targets on the way to “net zero” by 2050.

Qantas has partnered with Airbus to try to generate interest in domestic SAF production, with the help of a $400m fund.

And Virgin Australia recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Boeing targeting closer US-Australia clean energy co-operation, and a local SAF industry.

How embarrassing -  

MTF...P2 

[Peetwo]

Dickie King & Albo's love affair of the Red Rat?? - 

A little bit belated but very much related to the recent post's on this thread, courtesy the AFR:

Alan Joyce puts Albo’s son in Qantas Chairman’s Lounge

It’s easy to forget that Anthony Albanese has been in Canberra for a very long time. Entitlement to largesse is a lifelong practice.

Joe Aston Columnist

The recent decision by the Albanese government to block Qatar Airways from launching 28 new flights per week between Doha and Australia has caused quiet amazement in the corridors of Parliament House.

Transport Minister Catherine King’s clarification last week elevated the matter to high farce. She insisted the decision was not related to a human rights incident at Doha Airport in 2020 and instead linked it to her desire “to decarbonise the transport sector”. That was such an arrant non sequitur that the only rational response was laughter.


Anthony Albanese and his son Nathan. Alex Ellinghausen

The dazzling irony is that King offered this implausible explanation for yet another government measure fortifying Qantas’ market power as she stood in London touring Britain’s high-speed rail lines – a mode of travel Qantas’ lobbying machine has successfully obstructed in Australia for at least the past 30 years.

It is genuinely difficult to fathom the hold Qantas seems to have over this government. Air fares are at record highs (and a key factor in high inflation) while customer service levels are recovering from record lows.

In the year to June 30, 2022, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission received more complaints about Qantas than any other company – the airline blamed COVID-19 disruption but claimed “things have improved and we are getting Qantas back to its best”.

Breaking news: the ACCC told this column on Wednesday that Qantas remained the most complained about company in Australia in the year to June 30, 2023!

And yet King forced the ACCC to discontinue its airline monitoring program in June by refusing to extend its funding. It’s scandalous, but it’s only in keeping with the long tradition of every Australian government indulging Qantas to an immoderate extent. If there’s any evidence to the contrary, please show it to me.

To be understood, all of this must be viewed through the lens of Anthony Albanese’s incredibly tight relationship with Qantas CEO Alan Joyce, a bond that jars so badly with Albo’s misty-eyed working-class origin story.

What Australian company has in recent years done more to bleed mug punters and even its own workers? Qantas illegally sacked 1700 baggage handlers in November 2020 (all while sucking back $2.7 billion of non-recourse government COVID-19 subsidies). An appeal was heard in May by the High Court, where every presiding justice is a member of the Chairman’s Lounge.

Tinpot republics

Speaking of the Chairman’s Lounge, which comfortably generates the highest return on invested capital in the entire Qantas Group, you would not believe who has earned himself access to the pleasures hidden behind its discreet entrance. None other than the prime minister’s 23-year-old son, Nathan Albanese. It’s the stuff tinpot African republics are made of.

Everyone knows Joyce personally curates the Chairman’s Lounge membership list. Did Qantas offer this extravagant benefit to Albanese or did Albanese request it for his son? When asked this week, neither the airline nor the Prime Minister’s Office would explain. But did any of them really think a university student sweeping into the Chairman’s Lounge like a lord wouldn’t stand out like dog’s balls?

Albanese has never disclosed Nathan’s membership in his statement of registrable interests with the parliament. The PM might argue it’s not required if his son is not technically a dependent (although the Labor leader did say in 2022 that “We’re close, we live together”).

Irrespective of the sophistry relied upon, his son has received this benefit only because of his father’s position. It should be declared, especially by the guy who was elected on an integrity platform. Ask yourself: would Ben Chifley have done this?

Otherwise, where does it end? Should young Nathan get an unlimited balance in his SportsBet account or perhaps a discount from Meriton on his first apartment, all beyond our line of sight?

I have sympathy for Nathan. This is not even about him. This is about the prime minister’s inability to resist a secret freebie, a sly gratuity of public office, or to grasp how compromised he looks.

Albanese was regulating Qantas as transport minister for six years in the Rudd and Gillard governments. What other favours might Qantas have done him (or those close to him) that he felt were unnecessary to declare?

It’s easy to forget Albo has been in Canberra for a very long time. Entitlement to largesse is a lifelong practice. He will barely have opened his own wallet in 30 years. Yet, he’s no worse than the next institutionalised MP, just one inhabitant of a swamp full of chancers.

Remember, it always starts small. It’s the little favours. Please, let the valet take your car. Only the best table in the house. Don’t worry, I know a guy. We’ll make your problem disappear. Before you know it, it’s become normal for your family to be ushered through airports like royalty.

This is what ultimately comes from public officials accepting gifts from Qantas, an industrial-scale, multi-generational influence peddler. They are better than the mafia.

This is how they do it, and why Qantas gets whatever it wants from government, whenever it wants it. It’s why no matter how poorly the company treats Australian voters, the officials that voters depend upon to keep the company accountable can be depended upon to look the other way.

MTF...P2 

[Wombat]

Be thankful for what we have because if Qantas had its way, there would be no competition except for token weekly flights by flag carriers from Britain and America and Sydney Airport would be the only international gateway into Australia.

As for the the Minister, she is a lightweight that will do as she is told.

The "decarbonise air transport" meme is not a joke. The Minister was not kidding. The "net zero " BS represents the biggest profit making opportunity for energy intensive industries since the industrial revolution. The oil companies, miners, electricity suppliers and the transport industry now have carte blanche to reduce investment, restrict supply and raise prices all in the name of sustainability, greenhouse gas reduction, etc. and the Green movement will cheer them on. The Greens already have mass tourism and associated air travel in their sights.

There is a murderous self destructive urge at the core of the green movement that will destroy the Australian economy and society if permitted. The only bright spot is that psychiatrist Jordan Petersen has belled the cat and he is enduring the fury of the left in response.

[Peetwo]

Dickie King..."is fast making herself a figure of abject derision"?? - 

More from the AFR yesterday...

Minister for Qantas Catherine King crashes on take-off

Joe AstonColumnist

The federal Transport Minister Catherine King is fast making herself a figure of abject derision.

Having blocked Qatar Airways from launching 28 new flights to Australia per week over the howls of sundry state governments and the entire travel and tourism sector, King is now offering her fourth different rationale for that decision in as many weeks.

First, it was in response to a human rights incident at Doha Airport in 2020.


Transport Minister Catherine King has given yet another car crash interview on her decision to block new Qatar Airways flights to Australia. Alex Ellinghausen

“I want to be able to decarbonise the transport sector” was King’s second explanation last month – and a nonsensical one given Qatar operates one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the global airline industry.

Third, King told parliament last week that she’d refused Qatar to protect “long-term, well-paid, secure jobs [for] Australians in the aviation sector”. Those would be Qantas jobs she’s referring to, of course, which are some of the least secure jobs going around. Just ask the 1700 baggage handlers Qantas sacked illegally in 2020 or the 8000 employees Joyce had already axed or outsourced before the pandemic.

On Tuesday, King went on Cairns radio and linked the Qatar rebuff to the fact “Qantas has just purchased brand-new planes – that’s at a significant cost … They’re bigger planes, they’re quieter planes, they’re … better for the environment, so we’re going to start to see a lot of that.”

Is she serious?! Qantas is an ASX-listed corporation, 24 per cent foreign-owned, generating record profits for its shareholders. It made $2.5 billion in pre-tax profit in the 12 months to June 30.

It did so, incidentally, by ripping the faces off its customers, by charging airfares previously unheard-of, for levels of service the airline conceded were “[not] what we expect of ourselves.”

That is what taxpaying Australian travellers got from Qantas in return for the $2.7 billion of Commonwealth subsidies the airline gobbled during COVID-19.

And now we have an Australian cabinet minister making a protectionist trade ruling for the primary purpose of subsidising the long-delayed capex bill of a publicly traded company. I mean, what planet are we on here?

The idea that Qantas needs or deserves further government assistance is completely risible. And is this seriously how the federal government is conducting Australia’s trade policy with our international partners?

A massive wealth transfer from Australian consumers to Qantas shareholders is now Albanese government policy. That’s the whole function of anticompetitive conduct, to create economic rents, or super-profits, that would otherwise be competed away.

Other operators, such as Qatar, look at those rents and say: “Gimme some of that; gimme some slots and even though consumer prices will fall, we can still earn an acceptable return on our capital.” And Australia’s government is saying “No thanks”!

King was not finished. Next, she regurgitated a version of her Question Time line that Qatar’s new flights are “not in our national interest.” Yet irreconcilably, she then noted that “we’ve also seen a lot of [other] international carriers … starting to ask to increase capacity as well.

“So, we’ve got before us at the moment Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam Airlines, I understand Turkish Airlines … and a few others are starting to show interest.”

Hang on, so new Singapore Airlines flights are in the national interest? Vietnam Airlines and Cathay flights are good for Australia? That makes zero sense. Don’t these flights need to be blocked as well, to help Qantas pay for its new planes (the ones 

it’ll only really start paying for after Alan Joyce collects his last bonus[/size])?

The Labor Party can’t seriously be taking a hard line against Qatar Airways on any geopolitical basis. Penny Wong just gave Palestine East Jerusalem for crying out loud!

King kept on digging. “It’s good to see, I think, Emirates has also increased its capacity as well, but international aviation – certainly incoming – is still not back to where we’d like it to be.”

King omits to mention that all Emirates flights to and from Australia are actually Qantas flights, so no wonder she’s delighted to permit more of them. The two airlines – indeed, the two largest international carriers in this market – 

operate as one business. They even have permission from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to collude on pricing.

Qantas’ far smaller rival Virgin Australia enjoys no such immunity. As a code-share partner, it sells Virgin tickets on Qatar flights to Europe and the United Kingdom and then relies on Qatar’s incoming traffic to feed on to its domestic Australian flights.

So, the Albanese government is not merely pampering Qantas to the detriment of its foreign rivals, it is quite nakedly preferring Qantas over its smaller domestic competitor. In her next car crash interview, we’d like to hear King explain why Virgin Australia jobs don’t count as “long-term, well-paid, secure jobs for Australians in the aviation sector”.

King concluded her baffling treatise by saying that, “Prices have been too high, and we know that. We’ve got an aviation green paper leading into a white paper about to come out shortly that talks a bit about the issue around pricing competition, consumer rights and the importance of that.”

Oh, don’t worry, there’s a green paper coming. It’s already late, but it will lead to a white paper in two years’ time!

This is King absenting herself from the decisions she could make right now to alleviate the pain of Australian travellers, facing fares to London, Los Angeles and Phuket that are 55 per cent higher than 2019, and the local tourism industry, operating with 60 per cent less visitors than 2019.

King seems to think she’s making a dessert. It starts green, then turns white, and in a flash a magic pudding will be served. In reality, it’s just another government process for Qantas to capture, and how hard could that be when the minister can barely sustain a logical narrative sequence?

It’s another triple jackpot for Joyce, a longstanding beneficiary of not just bad policy, but no policy. “Oh no, you can’t provide an emergency loan to Virgin”. Five minutes later: “Please give me $2.7 billion I don’t have to pay back.”

Nothing King has said thus far is defensible. Absolutely nothing. She’s had four goes at this and she sounds more deranged each time. Not to put too fine a point on it, but she may not be the sharpest mind ever to come out of regional Victoria.

What’s the fifth version of King’s reasons going to be? “Qatar” sounds too familiar to “Qantas” – this is now an international trademark dispute?

She should go and speak to her constituents in Wendouree West, a real hotspot for stolen TVs on Facebook Marketplace. After nearly two years locked outside Dan Andrews′ pitiless ring of steel, all they want is to use the last of their JobKeeper savings on a trip to the Gold Coast.

Sadly, Jetstar’s flights from Avalon now cost the equivalent of three weeks’ rent. They’re being wrung dry by Qantas, and their local member is public official number one protecting the racket. Catherine King, Ballarat’s finest.

And via the SMH: https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/tour...5dw1r.html

...King has struggled to explain why she blocked granting Qatar extra flights.

She told this masthead there was no link to her decision and the treatment of Australian women who were taken off their Qatar Airways flight and forced to undergo invasive searches at Doha Airport, despite having made her first comments confirming her determination in a private letter to them.

That correspondence has been seen by this masthead.

King has cited various reasons, including protecting the national interest, climate change and the desire to protect Australian jobs...

Plus this insipid performance where it appears the only one cheering DK on is Albo...

757 views  Aug 9, 2023

The Labor government decided adding extra routes with Qatar Airways was not in Australia’s “national interest”, according to Infrastructure Minister Catherine King.

“These are bilateral agreements that are made between governments,” Ms King said during Question Time on Wednesday.

“As with all bilateral agreements that are made between governments, they are international agreements, and that we only sign up to agreements that benefit our national interests.

“In all of its broad complexity, and that includes ensuring that we have an aviation sector through the recovery that employs Australian workers.

“The government has determined that agreeing to the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority request for additional services is not in our national interest.”

MTF...P2 

[Peetwo]

Errr...what's wrong with this picture?? - 

Noticed this Tweet, courtesy of the Duck-UP Fairies (AusGov Infrastructure
@AusGovInfra)



MTF...P2 

[Earl Lank]

Errr...what's wrong with this picture?? - 

Noticed this Tweet, courtesy of the Duck-UP Fairies (AusGov Infrastructure
@AusGovInfra)



MTF...P2 

I'm going to apply for a grant to implement a great idea I have to improve road safety.   My idea - and please keep this confidential - is called "seat belts".   The concept is that these "seat belts" will constrain and reduce the scope for injuries to people in cars if the cars are involved in sudden impacts.

Studies have shown that the ubiquitous neck lanyards worn by public officials are ineffective to reduce injuries in car accidents, but are very effective in blinding the wearer to the 'big picture'.