This issue is more than just the existence and use of the MULTICOM frequency.
Whether you agree with the concept of the MULTICOM or not, it was introduced some 10+ years ago to remove aircraft chat on the ATS frequencies which was then seen as a significant frequency congestion issue along with re-transmission which was expanding at the time. There are many areas where low level ops cannot be heard by Centre and visa versa, but they can all be heard by high flyers. During the discussions held by the RAPACs back then, the introduction was based on a similar process in North America. If it works there, it should work here was the philosophy - however it's introduction was not covered by an appropriate level of education - and there was, as usual, with airspace and procedure changes, little or no allowance for Ozzie culture, which is basically to talk far too much!! Why a country (such as the USA) with significantly more aviation activity can exist with a MULTICOM and significantly less CTAF frequencies than here is a question that needs to addressed, through education.
The real issue with this change is the failure of CASA to discuss / consult with industry and the RAPACs, which is seen by many in the industry as an attempt to undermind the process and push changes to procedures etc through because it is thought to be a good idea and there is little or no corporate history of why the procedure is there in the first place, something that the RAPACs could have provided advise on. This change has obviously been pushed by someone with little or no understanding of the background of the issue and no desire to to be influenced by industry, who perhaps understand the issues better than they....
Yet another failure by CASA.
