It appears a nationwide problem in ATC staffing levels and not just isolated to Melbourne Centre. Has this got anything to do with SDE?
The general feeling amongst ATC is that staffing levels were critical prior to SDE. Everyone has been working extra shifts to keep things afloat.
To accomodate SDE rosters were split (for example some rocket route sectors) which requires extra staff at the very least until cross ratings are obtained. This left sectors somewhere below critical staff shortages with no end in sight. It also caused management to single staff the night shifts with a TLI directing unqualified ATC to give breaks.
The legality of this TLI is still under question and we await management to meet with Civilair (after some 4 weeks of asking) to help determine this.
So - the short answer to your question is
YES. However, it also has to do with extremely poor staff planning on the part of AsA.
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