#SBG 20/02/22: Subliminal theatre?

Ref: RRAT Estimates 14/02/22 – DIRDT&C (Aviation) & https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/j…e-recovery & https://www.kingston.vic.gov.au/Communit…ort-Safety & http://www.australianflying.com.au/lates…-estimates

Subliminal theatre? – AP forum version.

(Or, Rule One – learn to differentiate between arse and elbow.)

It has been tough to follow Rule 1 this week; beginning with the ‘bizarre’ CASA Estimates hearing; seriously – how is one supposed to fathom those strange and wonderful going’s on? I don’t know where to even begin; but for the sake discussion, let us begin at the beginning. Enter Spence – stage left (sound off).

The requisite ‘minuscule’ is in attendance – as is Spence; where is the rest of the usual motley crew? Were the seating arrangements pre planned; to show that Spence is ‘remote’ (distant) from the top line heavies; or, to show that they are no longer ‘important’ enough to sit at the top table; or, was it that they just couldn’t stand to be anywhere near her? Is there a schism? Is there a revolt? Is there a battle for supremacy and relevance? Who’d know, but ’twas passing strange. However, before we get to nut that out – McDolittle opens the batting.

I need to digress here for a paragraph or two (maybe three)- a side bar if you will indulge me. Remember the first Spence appearance at Estimates; McDolittle almost salivating to welcome Spence; so bloody Chheearming – made you feel nauseous. Now that the ‘golden girl’ has shown how bloody useless she is, McDolittle has no hesitation is handing out the honeyed arsenic treats to a fallen idol. As the red queen oft said – 

Spence never was; or even likely to be the answer to a pagans prayer; never will be. A graceful, well paid exit any time soon will suffice. Three Estimates, three abysmal performances – industry tolerance levels off the scale. End of. But what of the McDolittle track record? Better than two years and no end in sight for Angel Flight; two years and counting, now she’s all miffed because industry failed to supply another shed load of wasted time and effort; then, to top off a stellar failure – make the following statement on Hansard. 

CHAIR: If I can find one person who’ll go on record as saying that they were told that, if they didn’t sign a statement about this matter, they would be charged, then that’s not okay.

Uhmm Senator – as you would be well aware without the protection of ‘in camera’ privilege and some iron clad guarantees that top draw protection will be made available; then those who can tell the shocking tales of CASA’s unmitigated bastardy will not step up to your pie cart. Let me put this in context – Buckley has had a 65 – 70% dose of the CASA treatment. The real question which only McCormack can answer is an old one – Qui Bono from Buckley’s destruction? We know, don’t we children. One could, ruminatively ask who orchestrated that? The ones who have had the 100% (+) CASA  ‘treatment’ would love to tell their stories to a reliable ‘witness protection’ system. In short Senator; neither you, nor any of your ilk have the bottle and horse power to face the truth – You don’t want to hear ‘the truth’ : you couldn’t handle, or believe it – let alone do anything about it. .

“An unbelieved truth can hurt a man much more than a lie. It takes great courage to back truth unacceptable to our times. There’s a punishment for it, and it’s usually crucifixion.” ― John Steinbeck, East of Eden

No matter – back to the Estimates session. Enter Monohand (one hand clapping) – along with him the spectre of the CASA ghost; much like Hamlet’s – the one that keeps ’em awake at night. Vicarious Liability and all the hounds of a paranoid Hell that run with the ghost which haunts. What a duplicitous load of Bunkum is spouted in the name of ‘the ghost’. The good Senator, (Mirrabella) familiar with Army matters boils it all down to good old fashioned common sense from 34:10 mark. He shot their boots off and exposes the real fear – can CASA be held accountable – ever? Well, when you are protecting a cool million dollar a year salary and may (by clever legal folk) possibly, be held accountable – well – what more needs to be said. By the way – in the interests of ‘openness’ just what is Monahan’s secret (not disclosed) contract salary. Will McDolittle investigate and report? Nah, didn’t think so. Gutless duplicity clear, plain and simple.

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“In a word, I was too cowardly to do what I knew to be right, as I had been too cowardly to avoid doing what I knew to be wrong.”― Charles Dickens, Great Expectations

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Which brings me back to the hapless Spence; and here, words fail. The Mum’s at a junior school meeting may be ‘impressed’ by pastel shades, touchy feely platitudes and the death sentence signed ‘best regards Pip’. Spence has to deal with a very, very angry (borderline furious) industry made up of men and women who are independent of the government teat, have no idea of Canberra etiquette or likely to respond to mother hood puff and bullshit. This is a classic example of rubbing the cats fur the wrong way – McDolittle has picked the pet and it’s failed to bring home the mice; not only that but it’s toothless, spineless, useless and far to used to treats being served on silver platters. A million a year – BOLLOCKS – Canberra fat cats can, will and often do bite the hand which feeds ’em. Aye well, there’s an election looming – let’s hope for the  best while expecting the absolute bloody worst.

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“Mildly talented in a variety of ways but with no genuine ability in any one field, she was like me, the perennial hapless self-amused dilettante, half-worried by the slippage of time but determined to enjoy failure anyway.”― Edward Abbey

Aye well; thirty years and international wonderment later – here I sit – wondering when a Minister will call it for what it is and simply start again – NZ laughing it’s socks off while Australia is the socks being laughed at. But enough of the fools rambling. Time to pull an Ale and look over my handy work – another five bar,  three and a bit metre (10+ft old money) paddock gate. Spent the day with the Blacksmith – old school skill and modern equipment. Family business Father to son – I was given a brief introduction (by the Father) to how much difference the modern equipment makes in time and effort. Even so, remarkable skill.Tomorrow, with P7 and the dogs we shall fit that gate to it’s new hinges; take some sandwiches and a flask; weather permitting spend a day in sunshine, fresh air and no internet – paradise. That’s it, my glass is empty and my thirst pressing; sign off, find Ale, feet up. Ahhh!

Selah (albeit – still with NDI).