Air Ace
Yes, an external and "Independant" investigation is warranted.
Yes, there are indications of criminal conduct by some of the regulators / enforcers.
There is a massive amount of solid, factual evidence held by various entities that clearly establishes conduct
reminiscent of the KGB in the Cold War era or Hitler's SS of WWII.
The conduct displayed is UnAustralian, UnEthical, UnAcceptable, often Illegal and Alien to a Western Democracy.
Even the Mafia has a code of conduct, and if the miscreants end up in gaol, as they would if tried and convicted in an appropriate court,
they would soon learn, even in gaol, that criminals also have a code of conduct.
BB,
You have started some actions, but only where you personally were affected.
That was commendable and has been favourably acknowledged in the editorial of the current edition of "Australian Flying".
You now need to identify the protective buffer that insulates you from the sad realities of your field offices.
You have sacked some of them, just keep looking and you will find more.
The miscreants have no code of conduct other than indulging in the use and abuse of power.
The available evidence cannot convict them unless it is tabled in a criminal court.
Some of it has been tabled in the AAT, but here it does no more than embarrass them and expose them for what they are.
The AAT cannot convict them, nor recommend they be charged, based on that evidence, nor is it their prerogative,
they just assess the evidence to either uphold their bastardry or to overturn it.
A Royal Commission is the only way the evidence can be presented and be available for cross examination.
That it would clearly paint a picture of extreme misconduct is beyond doubt.
That evidence, having been tabled, would then be used in a criminal court to determine the punishment the miscreants have earned.
None of this will happen, it is purely academic. A Royal Commission into CASA cannot be allowed to happen.
As has been said earlier, these current issues will evaporate.
It is up to BB to set in place some mechanism to stem this abuse of power and to bring to account any offender in the future.
The current offenders, instead of properly going to gaol, will merely be counselled and advised not to get caught again.
Nothing will change, the rhetoric will still come forth.
BB, we need actions that support the words
and action that sends a clear message down through the ranks that the misconduct is to cease.
The Townsville office is not the only office flaunting this abusive behaviour, it is merely the one in the spotlight at present.
It is in the spotlight because of overwhelming disgust.
BB has initiated a policy of conciliation and co-operation, of having a cup of tea and a chat. This is a positive direction.
A great idea, but unfortunately there are a lot of FOI's who not only oppose this initiative,
but who would not be welcome in any operators office under any circumstances, let alone be party to a chat.
In Townsville, the three FOI's bastardised were among the few that industry could feel comfortable with,
and one or two others who live on the fringe of being bastardised.
Quite simply, BB, the industry, because of the actions of your rogue element,
have NO trust, confidence or respect in a significant proportion of your staff.
Trust, Confidence and Respect are earned, not assigned.
How you go about restoring that Trust , Confidence and Respect will be an interesting but not insurmountable task for you and your team.
Ultimately we all look forward to you turning the clock back a few years to an era when we could call an Area Office and discuss a problem and mutually work out a solution.
FOI's (different title then) did drop in for a cuppa, did chat, did suggest things we may have overlooked.
We were even able to have beer at the pub with them after work.
Discipline was enforced in a friendly authoritive way, there was mutual respect accorded each other.
What was so wrong with this system that it was allowed to degenerate into a constant attempt to issue RCA's (NCN's of old)?
Why now must some offices feel the need to measure the performance of their staff by the sheer quantity of RCA's issued?
From where or from whom did this mindset gestate and come forth?
Ultimately, do you want to lead a contemptable team of thugs and bullies, or a team of respected professionals?
I guess it all comes down where you see CASA going.
And I suggest that the name be changed to FAA (Federal Aviation Auithority).
Currently it stands for Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Given that it is Civil, why the overwhelming proportion of former ADF personnel within it's ranks and why is the Civil world so under represented.
The word Safety does not currently fit with the culture. There is no interest in safety, just enforcement.
Some of the activities being pursued actually compromise safety, not support it.
Aviation and Authority still mean something and should be retained.
The Truth is out there, go find it.