Call the next witness.
What we are witnessing, through the actions against CVD pilots is classic, clandestine CASA operating in broad daylight. Normally, witnessing this kind of 'treatment' is not a spectator sport; usually it's by special, private invitation only. Ever see a Chief pilot weeping in the car park; or an operator tearing hair out in the bank managers office, or a fellow pilot on the dole queue, well that's the result of a special invitation.
Until the cold, clammy hand of the 'regulator' has slithered around your neck, it is not possible for the average 'Joe' to remotely contemplate, let alone come to grips with exactly what individual victims are forced to deal with. I'll try to explain. There are 'classically' three elements to a CASA smoke, mirrors and safety show: an unfortunate, a 'safety' issue and an agenda.
The 'unfortunate' part is played by the hapless victim who has normally, in some way, had an 'event', take Quadrio for an example. A video on U bend tube leads to an administrative 'conviction'. The road to that 'conviction' and subsequent denial of an ability to earn a humble living as a joy flight pilot has been the subject of an intense two year investigative effort. The mere fact that evidence was always available to prove that Quadrio was not the pilot on the day has as yet, had no impact on his situation. In Pel Air – anyone could be forgiven reasonable doubts, the 'event' generated enough smoke to cover the agenda, had it not been publicly, openly and robustly examined the opinions formed and the event, would have been 'filed' away. This is not so in the CVD story; there is no 'event'.
Nothing untoward has occurred; except 20 years of reliable, normal service. This cannot therefore be parlayed into a 'safety case' through an 'event'. This is what makes the CVD issue unique; the 'safety-case' cannot be generated from event smoke, why? there ain't none, that's why. So other means must be used to satisfy 'the agenda'. I dare say O'Brien can enunciate and document the tale of woe and can probably find a handful of similar, supporting cases. There is a trail of breadcrumbs to follow from initial embuggerance to the final despicable 'letter' distribution. Classic tactics, only in public this time, against a bunch of innocents and their employers.
There was never a more valid reason nor better time to examine, in depth, the unsupportable machinations of a 'regulator' against the industry it serves. The list of damaged, disadvantaged operators, from the McComic years is long; the list of pilots administratively and clandestinely denied the right to work and put food on the table is as long again.
It is understandable that DPM Truss is reluctant to look retrospectively and to a degree, I can agree with the pragmatic approach but: to re-establish industry confidence – in short order – without addressing some of the aberrations and atrocities of the past five years will only serve to delay true rehabilitation. The CVD pilot embuggerance is occurring on 'his watch'. As a responsible, honest, competent minister of the crown he must act. Act swiftly, fairly, openly and honestly – and, while the tools are out, why not buff some of the detritus off the image of the 'regulator' by examining, in camera under Senate confidentiality some of the more onerous, outrageous events of the past few years.
Soft soap and white paper are very nice to have; but, equality, fairness and justice are the essentials men and women of this country fought and died for. We waste millions on land rights for gay whales, how about a little be put aside to give honest, hardworking Australian pilots a fair go. Those, who, through no fault of their own are being penalised in the most draconian way, loss of profession, loss of earning, loss of pride, loss of dignity, loss of mortgage, loss of kids education – just because some minor medico's running a sheltered workshop have decided to make it so. It's Bollocks.
It will cost less and achieve more to mount a Senate inquiry than it will to allow the flummery and hypocrisy of yet another AAAT 'hearing'. The commonwealth spent the money, 20 odd years ago to provide the ruling which has been proven correct, over two decades of 'non events'. It is not the AAT ruling which is flawed.
Selah – steam off.
Last edited by Kharon; 8th Jun 2014 at 21:07.