Well you see, here indeed is the problem.
Our skies are safe - demonstrably so
Our skies are regulated by CASA - as the safety regulator
Ergo, CASA is doing a good job.
The problem is that we, the insiders, know that is only being achieved by CASA regulating aviation (other than by very large players) out of existence.
I suspect that the general public would, on its face, like to see CASA doing more not less to cut down on all of the terrible GA accidents that they constantly read about in their newspapers.
I am not sure what the solution is (i know that is not helpful) but I know that I have very long term friends, who are not risk adverse at all, who baulk at getting into a small aircraft (737's are OK but A380's are better) and certainly wont let their kids come with us. Every time a GA plane goes down somewhere in Aus, there is always at least one or two who will ring up for a 'chat' - no particular reason offered.
On second thoughts - scratch the last paragraph - maybe that's just me - and they might be right!