Gobbledock,
Tsk Tsk when you add these events together with cosy fishing trips, drinkies at the Pinkenba Hotel with airline managers, and some pretty heavy party activities between regulatory staff and the airlines you start to side with Kelpie's comment 'Something smells here'!!
Having seen this at another regulator, I know exactly what goes on and it is corruption. A drink here or there is nothing but a sustained pattern or anything beyond token is a problem when put in the context of the intention of the giver.
Please give details to Kelpie or the Senators because if proven this will open a real can of worms that will be hard to explain.
This is not the time to hold back because the dice are about to be rolled.