It's not really certain – but after the CASA version of Hansard prompted the "addendum" version of what was really said and what was 'meant', the delay in the Hansard could be for a number of reasons. It was very noisy in the room; I noticed Heff was struggling to talk over the close proximity racket being made by the "Noise complaints" lady, which amused many. Heff eventually conceded defeat and agreed to take his concerns out of the chamber and into the back rooms with "Mike and his mates" (not John boy); later – but soon. Despite the public posturing and chest beating; I just wonder; is the Norfolk episode is going to be finalised the way it started, behind closed doors ?
The great thing about 'watching' and listening, as opposed to Hansard is that the side plays, expressions and body language are apparent. For instance; as Half baked mentioned, when the "Drone" man started his prepared set, the looks of relief, combined with the 'smooth' delivery of answers on topic, without static was in stark contrast to the stumbling, furtive responses to some questions asked by the 'opposition' during the noisier periods. The noise levels rose and fell in complete harmony with the degree of 'difficulty' a question presented. Remarkable game this one.
When the Hansard is out, for those who missed (or didn't record) the session, the potential dust up between McComic and Mac Donald will appear in dry written form, but the vision was splendid. The bully constantly glancing at the puppet master when challenged to a 'bare knuckles bout' in chamber, Sen. Searle egging them on, offering to extend the time. The confronted bully backed down of course, so it was a non event, fascinating stuff. Just have to hope now that Sen. Xenophon was not too distracted and managed to place his vexed questions on notice and like the inestimable Nash, demands prompt, respectful accurate answers.
Without the pictures, you can't see the way one D. Fawcett Esq. took advantage of the many distractions and seized the moments to slide in a quick question, or the consternation on the faces of those questioned when the 'script' was not being followed. Mrdak's face was a classic study in WTF. I'd like to play poker with some of these people, Oh, happy, happy day. Anyway – from the pen of
Ben Sandilands:-
Why can’t the Minister, Anthony Albanese, or his departmental head, Mike Mrdak, order the ATSB to convene an immediate meeting of the commissioners to consider findings and recommendations that document or respond to a totally deficient air accident report issued by the ATSB, and the nastiness of Commonwealth authorities covering up the administrative failures of CASA to oversight an operator it subsequently audited as unsafe and scapegoat a pilot?
It’s rare for departmental secretaries to volunteer information about Ministerial reactions to issues in advance, but Mike Mrdak, Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure and transport, did this for his Minister, Anthony Albanese tonight.
Mrdak, who appeared with CASA Director of Safety, John McCormick at Senate Estimates hearings, said he could confirm that the Minister “certainly understands the urgency of the need to respond to the report”, referring to last weeks highly critical Senate committee inquiry findings and recommendations in relation the ATSB final report into the Pel-Air ditching near Norfolk Island on 18 November 2009.
He said he had held a preliminary meeting with Minister Albanese concerning the report, and would meet again within a week in relation to an initial response to its contents. My bold - Ben's link.