601 - that system still exists, even more so now than "the good old days". The process of changing rules and providing feedback is much more accessible to everyone now, not just the big city folk. There's no chance of having input after the new regs are signed off in parliament. If you genuinely want to be involved with changing the regs get onto the CASA website and sign up for notification of changes. http://www.casa.gov.au/scripts/nc.dll?WCMS:PWA:
c=PC_91070
I'm not a CASA fan but I believe the chance to get involved with influencing the changes has improved, particularly if you don't live near the big smoke. The Part 61 stuff ain't going away and there's plenty of information available on the CASA site (the regs, MOS and explanatory info). Here's a chance to know more about the regs than the FOIs.