No he can't turn it around, Dick. That's part of the genius of the people who actually run CASA.
The DAS is always in a comfy straightjacket imposed by the legislation he's paid to administer. Those around him are happy to keep on legislating. Forever. It's a nice little earner for them.
About the only tool he can use to change things is exemptions.
Given his stance CVD, he will presumably continue CASA's practice of exempting primarily on the basis of the political importance of the issue rather than safety. The Coober Pedy runway width issue, and SIDS extension, jump to mind.