004 # 1963 –"The Senate, unfortunately, has become a circus, a comedy act, a titter on the stand up comedy stage. It is a place where the Senators have an understanding of safety, risk mitigation, investigative processes and regulations. However the $300 - $500k bureaucrats steering the departments are an embarrassment to Australia and to our industry"
It is clear that the 'department' teams are outplayed, outclassed and without the doughty Mrdak would be decimated by the WVA knitting circle, let alone a united, well briefed, on form Senate team. So why is it that:-
(a) these departmental wallahs feel they can treat the Senate with open contempt, thinly disguised disrespect and expect to be believed?
(b) the work done by the Senate committee is seemingly viewed and treated as 'irrelevant'. What's the point of them doing all the heavy lifting if they can be just be shooed away, like so many noisy children?
Perhaps Creamy, or Sunny or Lead Sled (one of the grown ups) can make the picture clearer; because I just don't get it.
I know – thick as two short planks M'lud: but the questions stand.