It has nothing to do with cards. It has everything to do with what the Civil Aviation Act says are the powers of the Chairman: Zilch.
I realise it’s a big ask to expect people to read a few sentences of the Civil Aviation Act and, even more exhaustingly, comprehend what those sentences mean. But doing so would relieve many people of their Pollyanna expectations of CASA Chairpersons various.
Dick Smith and Jeff Boyd were appointed so that the people who are really in charge can say (completely disingenuously): They had their chance to fix everything and they didn’t, so blame them.
Their only fault was being silly enough to fall for the trap. The frustrating thing is that so many in industry do too.