The patience of a rabbit trap.
Do not envy the new DAS. It will take a master craftsman to defeat the entrenched 'legal' (go get 'em tiger) approach to solving problems. Legal departments can only create havoc when they are encouraged or allowed off leash by senior management; and the current crew have become very used to the freedom. To recall and curb that beast is going to be a job and a half – stand alone.
Then there's the need to instil a spirit of 'cooperative', collaborative approach to working with industry to ensure sensible outcomes. It's been done in the past with very good results – many would be surprised to learn who was the architect of some of the more practical satisfactory conclusions achieved. The Kiwi's have this down to a fine art – and their industry seems to be ticking over very nicely. It's called building capacity....
For an example, look to the current RA-Aus situation – seems there's a potential bit of a mess developing there. I'd bet a beer that the legal dept is salivating at the notion of prosecuting; burning the midnight oil, dreaming up all manner of legal ways to ensure maximum fun, cost and misery. It would be much better to work with the association, develop strategy and create tools to make sure that operations were kosher and conducted according to Hoyle. This will be a challenge for the new DAS. If memory serves, it was Mick Toller and a couple of well qualified men who were of great assistance to AAAA, back in the day; providing the solid foundations of a system which is still vibrant and effective today. Sure keep an eye the 'self administering' bodies, but help them build capacity, help to them to do a better job, encourage compliance; but prosecuting the crap out of some hapless chump because the wrong paperclip was used is not only counterproductive, it defeats the objective.
What CASA hates, worse than poison, is being touted as an anal, low-trust, legally driven organisation. Unfortunately, this assessment is and has been made by every independent study. It's the devils own work to unpick that knot and regain the trust of industry. Without trust and mutual goals i.e. safe outcomes; we get what we have now: a buggers muddle...
No; if the new DAS is to do the job 'proper' justice, a truck load of industry support will be needed. This will require a deep breath and leap of faith to prevent what's left of industry reporting and safety culture being driven completely underground. Lets go for operational safety leading to legal safety. Compliance though sanity not through the wretched business of black letter law being subjectively and often 'improperly' imposed as a safety base.
Agree - Mike Smith is a great opening batsman; runs on the board, in form and pedigree out of the whazoo. But would he accept the poison chalice ? and risk a stellar, international reputation, kudos and respect. He certainly can cure the ills of third world countries. Perhaps Mike Mrdak can use some of his legendary talent as a 'sorter' and persuade Smith to come home. That would be a good days work. Not holding my breath though.
But don't look at me to do the job – talk about a fox in a chook shed. Mind you - a couple of days free reign, wrecking ball, chain saw and a baseball bat would be a tempting, diverting proposition.
Toot toot.