Gobbledock,
Fair point but bureaucrats have a responsibility for policy and cannot always hide behind the rules. Take APRA re banking for example, they take heed of offshore (eg Basel Committee) and then adapt by reference to other international regulators and the actual experience plus the sleep well at night test.
Why doesn't someone ask them why they are smarter than FAA and see what they have to say. Suspect the silence would be deafening.
Then we get back to Senate and there is no reason why they cannot/should not ask the same question.
The fact that there is bad legislation/regulation should not blind us from the bleeding obvious or allow those responsible to shirk their responsibility.
This is a pivotal point for the industry and if those involved do not stand to be counted then consumers should do so.