Guys, guys, guys,
The reasons neither major political party have any strong policies on aviation in Oz is because:
- none of the pollies actually understand aviation, for instance I'm sure that the Libs think pilots are equal to overpaid bus drivers, and Labor thinks that ATCs are the guys that wave the bats at aircraft as they park at the terminal.
- the media only report on the big issues like the 1% of illegal immigration into Oz by boat. Not the 99% of illegal immigration by aircraft. That is, the media don't see aviation as a significant election issue and hence barely report it. Our pollies are media tarts driven by spin doctors and special interest groups that make lots of noise (usually in the media).
In a recent poll of Australians, on who was seen as Australia's most trusted, the top ten included Dick Smith. Dick placed 6th. Number one was Fiona Wood, the surgeon who specialises in burns. So the perception is that Dick knows what he is talking about and you can trust him.
Over my 30 years in aviation, talking to politicians about aviation it just feels like this.............
