A succint sarcs strikes again, superb commentary.You have identified the overarching ATSB issues with your robust assessment. You have highlighted the issues that underpin ATSB's fall from grace. Your examination is fresh, non-tautological and is of absolute 'best practise'. You're in line for the "2012 Robust Medal'. Good work.
The Beaker spin in this sup submission highlights that the ATSB can no longer be regarded as independent and left to carry out an essential service without fear nor favour. The ATSB is now a neutered, ineffective agency that is more interested in not upsetting various 'stakeholders'.
Absolutely. A neutered entity that has also had its spine removed.
- An 'independant' body that that has it's strings pulled by Team Albaswisscheesie.
- A neutered independant body to scared to report because it may upset airline heirachy or create adverse publicity by reporting fact and truth.
- A neutered body that is prepared to take advice from, of all people, Fort Fumble!
- A neutered body that has lost it's direction and is governed by spin and mimimimimimi waffling bureaucrats.
- Yes, a neutered body that is drowning in it's own dribblings. It is neutered, spineless and has not a hint of testicular fortitude left.
The 'Beaker policy' (and by default Albo's policy) is totally flawed and if allowed to continue will see the total demise and reputation of the ATSB go down the plughole. Hopefully the Senators can see these issues and are not deterred by the Beaker spin! 
- It's direction has floundered. It's direction is lost.
- It's authority is now questionable.
- It's ability to report tacit facts has been decimated.
- It's fuctionality is lost. It's current path is untennable.
One could question, in a tautological manner, what relevance the ATSB even has currently? Maybe they have morphed in with the rest of 'the ills of society'?