Pinky and Dick are quite right - the terms of reference are stuffed and the Parliamentary Enquiry set up is myopic at best.
As one who has written more than a fair share of Ministerial briefings at both State and Federal level I can affirm that the scenareo Dick paints is sadly true. (ie. - The downline flunkies will kill their own grandmothers to ensure the respective Minister and CEO are buffered - best bet would be an "unofficial" word in either of their ears at any function, event (or even on a flight) followed by a diary note and maybe even an 'on record' note on prune of what was said.)
Unfortunately like FOI's, the submission process is a facade and any departmental flunky will make sure that the good Minister & CEO have the intell to dodge the bullets with a few well placed, non disclosable post it notes on the briefing papers.
If the Government was serious the terms of reference would be widened to allow what is currently little more than a means to contain the Coroner's shadow of obligation and precipe for litigation.
For the families of the Lockhart incident - I'm happy to donate to what well may become a very winable (and very justified) a civil action. Too this end, for the Minister, I strongly advocate buying some EGN centimetres in the Australian inviting cv's and quickly start work on the restructure of the dept.
For journalists - refer B Byron's proclaimations at 'Safer Skies' last year and ask the hard questions.
AT