Folks,
Skidmore's response to the O'Brien AAT decision was very disappointing in tonight's Senate RRAT hearing, it gives substance to Creamie's warnings.
Skidmore's immediate response to carefully worded question by Senator Fawcett which asked, in effect, after two AAT losses, and no demonstrated safety issues etc, would CASA be changing their approach to CVD, Skidmore was almost off his chair with a snap answer:
" We still have time to appeal" or words to that effect.
Interesting body language. He then made it very clear that the O'Brien AAT decision was not a precedent -- so tough, all you other guys ('cause it is mostly guys, not girls) with the problem.
Seems the departure of Dr. Navathe has not made much difference.
His attitude to Angel Flight was similar -- "We are not going to take action at this time, but will continue surveillance" --- or words to that effect.
It was clear, in my opinion, that Mr. Skidmore is multilingual, he speaks fluent Bureaucratese as well as English. Senator Heffernan felt he had the gab to front Jimmy Sharman's boxing tent at the Show, and said so. It will be interesting to see what Hansard says there.
All in all, a very disappointing (unless you are a member of the CASA Iron Ring) first appearance before the RRAT.
Tootle pip!!