Sarcs # -'Well that'll take some of the heat out of the questioning in
Senate Estimates next Monday...still think that the Beaker lame duck is ripe for the Ferryman's spit roast..??
I just wonder about the heat emanating from the Senate kitchen. The Bar Room Barristers (BRB) had dinner and a quiet little drink (or two) for P 49ers birthday last evening, only a round dozen at the table (much dark muttering about closet MKR fans was heard), topics were, in no particular order:-
1) Have the Senators discovered who in the PMC provides Mrdak top cover?
2) Have the Senators discovered who in the PMC provides Dolan top cover?
3) If they know, can they neutralise or redirect?
The table was split 6/6 on these questions; Dr. Wall being deemed too academic to soil his hands directing traffic on matters aeronautical; there was some support for Hazelhurst but with so many female mandarins in position and without knowing all the local scandal, it was judged a bit too hard to call. The only line of inquiry that made sense was a time line and associated tasking schedule which makes for very interesting reading (cheers P7) but couldn't, not with any certainty throw a dart at the right answer. All the same, but it's fascinating to see how the buttons are pushed, the levers are pulled, the grease is applied and the coal gets shovelled into the boiler. Sir Humphrey was a pussy cat.
4) Is there enough steam left in the boiler to finalise the Pel Air fiasco and progress to the next logical step i.e. publicly (or privately, don't care) giving CASA it's comeuppance?
Ayes 8 : Nays 4. With McComic waiting for Beaker before sharing a cab to the ferry dock, consensus was that the bad boys will all be so busy queuing up for his job they won't see the truck coming. The Ayes feel that after all the buggering about, shuffling and sliding around the issues, the miniscule may well believe that throwing the McComic arse to the wolves will do the job, we beg to differ. The notion that this united, bi-partisan, angry, very aware Senate committee will accept this cynical, token gesture is risible. Acceptance is problematic, a poison chalice. The world and it's wife know that this committee is very properly briefed and therefore very, very aware of the ailments, who the villains are and where they live. Must they now stand and be judged as being either complicit or negligent if changes are not made. Never fear, the BRB has faith; lots of, in spades, redoubled, that the Senate crew will see the job through to a 'fit and proper' conclusion.
5) Is there enough political clout and courage to involve Abbott on a meaningful level; to where he appoints a junior minister, even if it's only an interim measure to oversight the changes?
Ayes 2 : Nays 10. Less faith in the PM, mostly due to past advice to PM's to do nothing. Apart from the one low life, we could not remember one PM who actually mentioned, let alone voiced concern or caring for the aviation industry per se (apart from Big Q matters, which don't count). Maybe if D. Fawcett Esq. could get 10 minutes; or, one or two of the 200+ WLR submissions was glanced at; or, even if just the Senate Pel Air report was smuggled into the PM briefcase, perhaps, just maybe, something may be achieved. We are, after all an Australian industry and boy, do we ever qualify for red tape relief. Endit.
6) Will Truss back up his pugnacious, pre election rhetoric with positive action or will he just wave a wet lettuce leaf and dive behind the barricades – yet again, to look after his old mates until they escort him off the premises on his Zimmer frame??
No brainer 12 :0 the Nays. In opposition with Albo running scared, let down by his 'trusty' CASA allies, ol' Trusty was on the podium like a rocket, flapping his gums and making fearful, ferocious noises, not too many promises though. Consensus was that the Wet Lettuce Review was deemed a suitable bone, sufficient to placate the plebs; anyway as Creampuff said, so many friends, so little time.
The signpost to where the action is and where the industry is headed may be revealed on Monday, then again, it may not be. But I reckon those that can will watch the CASA /ATSB sessions with some interest. Do hope it's not a fizzer, got snags for BBQ, beer fridge heaving and everything. The BRB have sanctioned the Gobbledocks attendance, provided he agrees not to pelt snags at the wide screen and that bloody elephant stay on the dockside; the mess last time was unbelievable.
Toot toot.