Never, ever, correct a mistake – CASA policy
It appears that one of the reasons CASA will not comply with the AOPA request to delay the ADS-B mandate to 2021, for all IFR aircraft, is because they are concerned that people who have already fitted the equipment could sue.
This is ridiculous! As it simply means they can never correct an error. No doubt it also means that they can never correct Part 61 because some people (including myself) have had to pay large amounts of extra money in complying with the more arduous requirements.
Surely those who fitted ADS-B early have done this because they believe there were advantages for them. They had the freedom to delay the fitment as there is no requirement to fit before February 2017.
Also, anyone with any common sense would not bother to sue CASA, because CASA will throw unlimited amounts of industry money at the action.
Come on Mr Skidmore! Use a bit of fairness and common sense and announce that this ridiculous and unique mandate will be delayed until 2021.
Otherwise, I fear you will have the embarrassment of Nick Xenophon and his party making the decision for you. It has happened before with fixed ELTs - where the incoming government changed the law so portable ELBs would be allowed. This saved the industry since then tens of millions a year.