Hey Ampclamp,
I have noticed that too - every time I hear from that particular CASA spokes person he is towing the QF line and making obviously reassuring and sickly sweet positive statements.
I want a regulator that is manned by people who are standing up for the public's interest, rather than that of the airline.
I want to hear "CASA will do everything to ensure that Qantas maintains standards to guarantee the safety of the public"
rather than the standard "we are sure it's all good even though it doesn't look that way"
In a small industry where your next potential employer after CASA is Qantas then who would dare offend the red rat ?