[Peter Lovett]

Spectator sports

Toddled into a favourite local watering hole last evening, game of darts and a cold one or two I reckoned should set me up nicely for the weekend; not the sort of activity to fire the imagination, quite the reverse.  It started quietly enough “watch the ASA last night?” says someone (triple 17 needed so half listened), “Yeah” says the other worthy – “but WTF, no one else but a few public swervents and some aviation folk heard it but the main stream media won’t mention it, seemed pointless to me, no audience worth speaking of”.

My 17’s ended the match and I ambled off to get them in, while waiting it occurred to me, did that really matter?  No, Dick did not need the MSM, or even the small industry audience to win the round, handsomely. I am not sure how many people the Senators represent or the size of audience they can reach, but again the question, does that matter?  Answer, No.  Dick convinced every single solitary one of the Senators that there are serious, far reaching problems in aviation; all created by the public service (or lack thereof).  In short, the people who mattered and could provide the right sort of ‘pressure’ were the audience and they were paying attention.  Channel 7 or the ABC cannot and do not have much sway with the departments, hell, not even the Minister does; but, that Senate committee ‘got it’.

That’s real power delivered where it matters; as Edwards pointed out the entire spectrum of party politics was there, even a Green (what is it with them?).  Now those folk can push, shove, lobby and apply real pressure; the only question remaining is, will they?

Aye well, I got the round in and by the time I got back, the topic had changed, so I stayed quiet and for another hand or two of darts; ain’t it funny the things that rattle about in your head.  Lets hope the message Dick delivered stays with that excellent committee and through the system rattles a few cages, pull a few tails and gets enough weight on the ball to motivate Truss to act.   We can’t, Dick can’t but that committee at least have a fighting chance to get something done; but will they? – well, we shall see.

Toot toot.

We already know the answer, unfortunately. NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There, got that off my chest. Listen to mainstream media and its nothing but over-paid pundits engaging in mental masturbation about gay marriage, Royal Commission heads, possible losing seats in SA etc etc etc. They can't go beyond the simplistic political manoeuvrings of those we elect to govern because that is all they understand. They totally ignore the fact that the reality of government, the delivery of services to the public, is going down the toilet. Not just aviation but across the board. The mandarins have a free hand so long as it doesn't reflect on their political masters and they absolutely know that.

Until the reality of what is happening is laid at the feet of the politicians, who are avoiding all responsibility, and the public demands blood NOTHING will change. For that to happen the public have to believe that getting on an aircraft carries significant risk. That will not happen until mainstream media believes that. Not 4 Corners, not Insight, not DateLine, but the nightly news on every station has to carry the message and we know the chances of that short of a smoking hole in the ground - NOTHING.