CASA could have, and SHOULD HAVE stood up to DOTARS and said "no - this is a waste of time and we will not permit it".
They didnt, and instead started accepting peoples money for the bloody things. Thats tantamount to being an accessory. Bad CASA.
In other news, my first ASIC was issued by CASA, but when it expired, I renewed it through my local airport. CASA never contacted me for a return of the expired card, so rather than just post it back to them (who knows WHO might open the envelope once it gets to Woden!), I think I'll hold on to it until they actually request it, and provide a means for me to return it to them that is at least as secure as how they gave it to me.
Perhaps I should entrust it to Qantas security in Mascot, then tell CASA it's "available for collection between 9am and 4pm, weekdays".