CP - Any allegation made against CASA is deemed to be true.
Fair comment in a 'normal' world; but does the industry have a normal relationship with the regulator as it stands today? Going back, not too many years, the general gripes in Australia were pretty much the same ones heard anywhere between Anchorage and Timbuktu; mostly about paperwork and petty gripes about being 'chipped' or hauled over the coals for an offence (probably committed). It's the same in every armed service, police force, airline or chip shop – same old, same old.
But, both the level and type of complaint about 'authority' over the last few years have changed, as has the perception of a honest (if hide bound) reliable, industry serving regulator. There is some real, deep seated hostility out there now, a marked lack of respect and a real sense of fear. All counter productive.
No amount of legal wrangling, spin doctoring, plain or fancy Pony pooh will fix up the mess. Bang away at the quotes boys, but nothing except an independent, deep investigation into the current aberration will restore a normal relationship between the industry and the authority which is paid handsomely to serve it.
Rant over.