No, I just think that the argument that local aerodromes charging a landing fee has resulted in this country being unable to build indigenous 5th generation fighter aircraft is a particularly stupid one. In the years preceding the end of the ALOP scheme, we weren't exactly an aviation powerhouse, so nothing has changed. You think Russia or China or anyone else likely to attack us has a massive military because they have a healthy GA sector? You think the RAAF is struggling for pilot applicants because noone applying already has their PPL?
Private civilian aviation is just an unnecessary indulgence.
To probably 99.99% of the Australian population, that's exactly how it's seen. To Bruce and Sheila, standing around their backyard barbie, looking up at Sunfish fly over on his way to YARK, do you think that they think he is performing some function vital to the future history of this nation? That's if they even look up. No one gives a sh*t about whether you have to pay landing fees or not, or whether you feel hard done by.