And the airliners that fly around this country have flown about three times as many hours as the 35 year old chieftain has.
There is much wisdom (and some nonsense) on this thread.
In the days of the two airline policy two mining company people were so important that they could not fly with the same airline. But when they got to Alice Springs they got out of the two separate airliners and got into a single pilot chieftain to fly to the mine site. It seems their importance diminished when there was money involved.
Morno, if legal requirements for charter wre the same as for RPT then GA would hardly exist and developement of this country would only occur near the coast. GA is just as important to this country as the airlines are. (except on the coast.) We have not built the raods yet.
But you have a valid point. The public does not know. An AOC looks very similar whether it is for a Boeing service or a 172.
There should be an AOC for a"light aircraft service" so the public knows what they are going to fly in. And they should be able to sell seats, publish schedules and advertise (without hiding it).
CASA have shut down many charter companies for purely commercial (not safety) reasons. I don't believe they have the right to do this. They are supposed to be a safety authority.