DIck, with the greatest respect, I think the possibility of reform is now gone. My guess is that Mr. Farqueson will be confirmed as DAS and that announcement and the governments response to the review will be released on Melbourne Cup day or between Christmas and New Year.
The Governments delay in responding indicates that the bureaucrats have made a successful fighting retreat and that nothing will change. If there is a cabinet reshuffle you can then put off reform for at least another year until the new Minister gets his feet under the table, consults, reviews the review, calls for independent consultants advice, etc., etc., etc.
I'm afraid its game over. Creeping bureaucracy ensured I didn't spend $600 on a few hours flying today, but that is another story.