[Sandy Reith]

Mike Smith obviously has the credentials and much support and hopefully whoever gets the job understands that times are changing. We have moved on from when Mike Smith was employed in CASA previously. There has been one positive outcome of the disastrous and dysfunctional administration and rule changes and the truly massive waste of money, time and job losses.

That is that we have had to put our minds, to think on, to cogitate how we should be ruled in the pursuit of aviation. Out of this I believe we have shifted, shifted from an acceptance of a Crown given privilege to fly, to the realisation that a free people have the right irrespective of government. I believe we have moved to a accept that, for example strict and stringent aviation medicals are not not efficacious and not improving safety.

All manner of restrictions backed by strict liability and criminal provisions must go.

We will accept simple rules such as those that govern us on the roads. Anything more I believe will be subject to scrutiny, debate and critical assessment to the wider ramifications. We make it clear we will attack those measures that do not stack up.

I believe we must make it clear that the industry will not accept the old regime even as it was just workable, we must demand a new and much freer environment commensurate with an evolving sense of individual responsibility. The old paternalistic ways will not cause improvements in safety or efficiency and will not satisfy a new generation.

Mike Smith and amendments to the Act can cause real reform and a resurgence in Australian aviation. Without the legislated change to back up the new CEO it can all slip back all over again.