Senate Inquiry, Hearing Program 4th Nov 2011

[Sarcs]

Contempt for the Senate?

Good point you make Oleo!

Perhaps in relation to the bizarre pdf doc (CASA re hansard corrections 26 April 2013_Web[1]) and the inferences it makes on the competency/integrity of the RRAT Committee Secretariat, the Senators should be questioning whether this is in fact a ‘Contempt of Parliament’:

Contempt of Parliament definition:
Conduct (including the use of words)... [which] amounts, or is intended or likely to amount, to an improper interference with the free exercise by a House or committee of its authority or functions, or with the free performance by a member of the member's duties as a member.

Contempt decisions by the House of Representatives or the Senate are thus subject to review by the Federal Courts.

Punishments are limited under the Act to (for individuals) a fine of $5,000 and/or six months' imprisonment, or (for corporations) a fine of $25,000.

In the Senate, allegations of contempt are heard by the Privileges Committee, which decides whether or not contempt was committed, and if so, what punishment is to be imposed. In practice, there have been very few times when a hearing determined that anyone was in contempt, and on no occasions has anyone been punished beyond a warning, with an apology and/or appropriate remedial action.

I know there is again too much wriggle room to escape possible sanctions, coupled with the fact that public servants are even more protected, but it could at least extract a retraction and apology from FF. God knows throughout this inquiry there has been an element of contempt displayed by FF to the Senate committee process and to all of us ‘ills of society’.

Anyway moving on but still on the subject of contempt, at post #1597 Kharon said:

There was a significant meeting held in Brisbane recently, the thread – General Aviation Meeting – started on PPRuNe is beginning to define many of the current and ongoing problems faced by the industry. The focus is on the perilous situation general aviation finds itself through very little fault of its own making. This discussion is germane to the Senate Inquiry as it clearly defines the mindset CASA adopt when dealing with the industry they overlook - on any matter.

Given the elevated attention AMROBA has been receiving on here of late, now might be the time to explore sub15. In the submission Ken and Co do address the current impasse between industry and regulator, while offering a possible plan of attack to the pollies that could ultimately see us genuinely addressing ICAO compliance and the RRP.

Sub15…food for thought perhaps??

Ps Maybe FEDSEC Steve and Ken should get together...if they haven't already??