Update
I have been advised of the suggested payment to finalize this matter.
On this matter, it only relates to the reputational damage caused to me and includes the direction by CASA that my continuing employment was untenable in light of the comments I was making publiclyi.e. on PPRune as that is the ONLY place I post about this.
CASA has offered significantly less than $10,000 I am advised. (significantly less!). Being the somewhat thick-skinned fella that I am, I shrug it off. It only completely confirms my belief that CASA is not demonstrating any "good intent" whatsoever.
I have the Ombudsmans investigation continuing, and am confident that will demonstrate the unsafe culture that exists within CASA. in the interim. I will publish a letter that i have sent to the Deputy Prime Minister some time ago and anxiously await his response
18/05/2020
To: The Deputy Prime Minister, the Honourable Mr Michael McCormack.
In this correspondence, I am writing to you in your role as the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, and Regional Development. In that portfolio, you have responsibility for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the safety of aviation in Australia,
My name is Glen Buckley of 6 Susan Court Mount Waverley 3149.
Drawing on 25 years’ experience in the flight training industry, I am well qualified to make the statements that follow:
I fully stand behind everything I say. I am fully accountable for these comments in law. They are not intended to be vindictive or vexatious.
I am drawing your attention to a small group of CASA personnel, whose deliberate and considered actions and decisions negatively impact aviation safety.
I intend to name the personnel, but prior to that I will outline my considerations in doing so.
· I am naming them, as this is primarily a matter of aviation safety in Australia.
· I make no assertions about them outside of their conduct within the workplace, and they may well be good citizens of the wider community. I am only addressing their conduct in the workplace while exercising their power as CASA employees.
· I am naming them to protect the reputation of the vast majority of CASA employees who act professionally, and the reputation of CASA. The allegations are against a small number of the CASA Executive, and not the wider organisation.
· I have written to the Board of CASA on multiple occasions over a period of 6 months raising concerns of good governance. That correspondence was completely ignored. I have reasonable concerns that elements of the Board may be trying to “cover up” this matter, and from my personal experience that is my firm belief. I have been assured by Mr Mathews, the Chair of the CASA Board that you are aware of these allegations, nevertheless I feel it best to have it documented.
· I am endeavouring to minimise any further harm to my reputation and welfare, and that of other affected individual's and businesses.
Every statement I make can be well supported with documentary evidence, and that is the purpose of this correspondence. I am seeking a meeting with yourself or your nominee to submit my supporting evidence. I anticipate that would take approximately 90 minutes. I feel this would be the most efficient and effective use of resources for your Department. I would welcome any CASA representatives at any meeting you are able to facilitate. I am able to attend that meeting alone or with other industry participants that share these views, and have been impacted by unlawful, unfair and unjust conduct by these individuals.
It is important to point out that the first three named individuals have had similar allegations bought against them previously by Mr. Bruce Rhoades. Unfortunately, Mr. Rhoades passed away from aggressive cancer prior to being able to fully prosecute his case. It was however the subject of an ABC program. I had the opportunity to speak to Mr. Bruce Rhoades prior to his death, and his allegations were concerningly similar to my own.
I am alleging that the following four CASA Personnel:
1. Mr. Graeme Crawford- CASA Executive Manager- Aviation Group
2. Mr. Jonathan Aleck- CASA Executive Manager- Legal, International and Regulatory Affairs.
3. Mr. Craig Martin- CASA Executive Manager Regulatory Services and Surveillance
4. Mr Jason McHeyzer- CASA Region Manager Southern Region.
have.
· Made deliberate decisions, and have taken actions that do less than, maintain or improve aviation safety. In fact those actions and decisions degrade the safety of aviation.
· Have not acted in accordance with the Ministers Statement of Expectations to CASA.
· Breached obligations placed on them by the APS Code of conduct including specifically that they;
1. Have not behaved with honesty and integrity in connection with their employment.
2. Have not acted with care and diligence in connection with their employment.
3. Have acted to bully and intimidate.
4. They have not complied with legal obligations placed upon them.
5. They have not used Commonwealth resources in a proper manner or for a proper purpose.
6. They have provided false and misleading information.
7. They have caused detriment to several businesses, the loss of many millions of dollars investment in the aviation sector, and deprived a number of persons of their ability to derive a livelihood.
· Breached the requirements of Administrative law, Procedural Fairness and Natural Justice.
· Have breached CASAs own Regulatory Philosophy.
· Have breached obligations placed on them by the PGPA Act.
· Have knowingly and deliberately breached, clearly stipulated procedures in CASAs procedural manuals.
· Have breached obligations placed on them in Administrative Law.
· Have not behaved with honesty and integrity.
The affected Parties are aware that there is an option to pursue legal action, but that is not our preferred option. That would involve costly and protracted processes. That places an unfair burden on the parties bringing your attention to these serious allegations and should be entirely unnecessary, provided you are willing to facilitate the requested meeting.
Saying that, I must draw your attention to the fact that three legal firms have been extensively consulted, with each of them specialising in their respective fields. Legal advice suggests that there is a valid basis for a claim should the decision be made to proceed. The first of those three legal cases will commence shortly. One of the three cases will be a class action.
I have requested that the issuing of legal processes be held off until week commencing 25/05/20, in the hope that you feel you are compelled to act.
I give you my personal assurance, that should you choose not to assist in a resolution, that legal action will commence, as my options will be exhausted. I am fully satisfied that there is a deliberate attempt by CASA to “cover up” this matter,
You are aware that the action CASA took was not based on any safety concerns.
The Australian people deserve a Government that will act with integrity and in the best interests of the people that they serve. The opportunity to perform in the role of a Minister in the Australian Government is an honour, and it comes with an expectation that you will act at all times, to the highest standards of probity. By conforming to those obligations, you will maintain the trust of the Australian public.
In your role as the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, you have been entrusted with considerable privilege and wide discretionary power. There is an expectation that when acting in that role, you will act with due regard for integrity, fairness, accountability and responsibility, and in the public interest. As the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development you are accountable and responsible for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)
You have obligations placed on you to ensure that public servants are deployed only for appropriate public purposes.
You have obligations to ensure that reasonable measures are put in place within your area of responsibility to discourage and prevent corrupt conduct by officials.
I respectfully request that you give this correspondence the attention that it deserves, and provide me with the opportunity to present the evidence to you, or your trusted nominee at the earliest opportunity.
Respectfully,
Glen Buckley.