LeadSled speak with straight tongue.
Just thinking out loud here, speculative – in the way of trying to see clearly how this could work. I wonder if the "Aviation" lobby idea is selling it's self a bit short. Agree, there are very few votes and little clout within what may be defined as 'the industry', but the associated travel, tourism elements combined with hotel, catering and other 'employment' areas which depend in some degree on 'aviation' would, I imagine have slightly more horsepower.
Should the FAA or ICAO downgrade Australia's rating, I believe that would have some impact on GDP; perhaps the 'heavy mob' who run tourism etc. could be persuaded that 'aviation' is important – to their business.
Badly expressed I know, but half a dozen blokes and a couple of lighties ain't going to change or affect too much, if anything. But if say the casinos (for example) thought 'their' business would be affected, or if the RFDS wasn't there, or if the mail stopped turning up, or the resort that used sea planes as a selling point were going to suffer, perhaps then the lobby, as part of that group could present enough numbers to make a difference.
As stated, just a twiddle: but stand alone and influence political outcomes – big ask. Huge.
OK, Ok, back to my knitting right.