Folks,
Not mentioned here is the fidelity of the simulators, not just the IRE/TREs by whatever regional or operator name.
With major airlines and their simulator sections, this is not usually a major problem, but in my opinion, it is a problem where smaller aircraft are concerned.
It can also be a problem in "simulator centers" that serve a number of airlines. Commercial pressure militates against the ideal tailored training programs, tending towards the lowest common denominator and lowest cost, particularly where pilots are footing the bill.
Part of the CASA problem is that it is doubtful that their compliance staff have adequate combination's of training and experience for the fidelity checking of simulators.
In a similar vein, when an adequate simulator is not available, there seems to be a propensity to approve part task trainers beyond their reasonable limits. Indeed, some approvals have pushed the limits to qualify under Part 60 as a simulator at all, let alone a simulator really suitable for endorsement training.
On the subject of instructors, the task of eliminating personalities from the task is a close to impossible one, and it takes a rare boss of training or exceptional Chief Pilot to manage such problems. Accepting, of course, that he or she is not the Chief Offender.
There is room for huge improvement in the selection and training of IRE/TREs in Australia, at all levels of air transport operations.
Tootle pip!!