Cogwheel
4711 I think it matters not what the circumstances have been in relation to how the NAS was selected by the Minister.
I happen to think it matters a lot. No surprises there, I guess.
We live in a society in which we entrust certain duties to our elected representatives. When, for example, our government is called upon to decide between two competing tenderers before spending
our money, we insist on an open, accountable tendering process, Any conflicts of interest are to be declared, and the process proceeds in as impartial a manner as is possible.
In the case of airspace reform, we are talking about the expenditure of
billions of taxpayers' dollars. Somehow, Dick Smith has been able to become:
1) The author of a a reform proposal; and
2) The chairman of a panel to choose a 'winner'; and
3) When his proposal won (surprise!!!!) - part of an 'implementation' panel.
Now, what could be more cosy than that?
Maybe he can make our trains run on time too!