Only if 24 years ago counts as ‘not all that long ago’.
When the Civil Aviation Act came into force on 15 June 1988, section 12 said:
12. (1) The Minister may give the Authority written directions as to the performance of its functions.
(2) Directions as to the performance of the regulatory functions shall be only of a general nature.
(3) Particulars of any directions given in a financial year shall be included in the annual report of the Authority for that year.
Original Civil Aviation Act:
Civil Aviation Act 1988
Back then, there was no Board.
Then a Board was introduced.
Then the Board was abolished.
Now the Board has been reinstated.
All of those changes were made to improve CASA’s governance, of course.