The end for the ICC?
Possibly, and no loss to the industry. I doubt any individual could work "independantly" while being paid by CASA. It may be that Michael Hart felt compromised and therefor became a liability. In which case he deserves respect if he initiated the action.
does CASA have some other cunning plan to deal with industry malcontents?
Yes Baldrick, it's a cunning clutch of Lawyers, given a re-run after the new Director was inveigled into handing the reins back to them. All prepared to spend the last cent in the taxpayers purse to prosecute an action whether it has legal merit or not.
They will have to do better because ASIC are catching them as "the biggest loosers".
Watch this space for upcoming dramas of regulatory and enforcement mahem.