Trouble is whoever falls into that saddle...will they know anything about boats, trains and PLANES. Doesnt seem like there is any oversight of Fort Fumble by DoTR at all.
Probably not. Same as all our cabinet ministers, they more than likely have no experience or knowledge whatsoever about their portfolios.
Most politicians are 'lawyers" or "economists" by formal education & work experience, that "may" qualify them to be one of those things, NOT to run a Govt dept etc.
We would probably be better off if we adopted the US system where the Secretary ( Minister) of XXXXXX portofolio is nominated by the leader them vetted and accepted or rejected by the Senate.
Meaning they can choose people (not elected pollies)who "may" have actual real world job experience and an education in whatever field they will be overseeing ( ie qualified) so they cannot be totally BS'd to by the Civil Service Bureaucrats etc and may have some clue as to the issues actually faced by whatever area or "industry" they are overseeing and there effects .
Eg , Defence, aviation, agriculture etc.
They are "employed" by the govt and can be immediately dismissed at any time by the leader if they fail or are poor performers.
The candidates Political party allegiances etc have nothing to do with their selection.
They are not simply removed to the back bench etc as are our pollies where the political backstabbing ,grudges etc can continue to fester etc.
Obviously an experienced pilot is going to know more about aviation issues of all kinds from his own training, knowledge, experience and general exposure to the industry and its people than someone who is a professional lawyer or office manager, pollie etc who doesn't have any knowledge whatsoever.
That of course will never happen though.