Have you flown one :ugh:

Congratulations on stupidest post of the year so far.

I quietly share your anger, Dick.

It’s great he can take time out from his normal job raving and screaming about Air Traffic at Williamtown to start a Party. I’m sure he’d get a lot of votes from military controllers...

you don't need many votes to get a senate seat.


Didn't one of the cross benchers get a measly 1,000 votes but did preference deals ?

Oldmate. I sold my property on the North Coast primarily because I know more people will be killed because of the Williamtown airspace.

Despite many offers to pay for military people to go overseas and see how airspace can operate with minimum holding not one was taken up.

The " we know it all " syndrome exists.

Look at the Super Seasprite $1.4 B loss- and not one military person held responsible.

Yes. You all protect each other and resist change- but how long before more unnecessary deaths?

You are right there Dick.

As for military procurement... every program has been ripe with egos and incompetence... and dare I say soft corruption.

Once they get out there are far too many ex military "know it alls" that get appointed to positions of power or influence in civil aviation in Australia.

For a start look at CASA & Airservices!

Then the Government advisers... look at how many ex military are advising the Commonwealth and State Governments, particularly in areas like industry, trade and investment.

you've got my vote Dick
 

+ might vote 10 times (it's very easy to vote multiple times & not get caught-unionists have been doing it for decades)

Oldmate, so Dick is not allowed to comment on sub standard procedures & performance? Who cares if ex RAAF don't vote for you? What's the percentage of ex RAAF voting in any electorate? (besides the Newcastle area?)

My opinion, Straight out of the RAAF, are RAAFies the best equipped to be making decisions in real world economics & civil procedures?

You've got my vote Dick (and any help I could provide in the setup) I'd be interested to know if you've looked at Malcolm Frasers work?

Dick Smith Party
 

Hey Guys and Gals,

This is a great forum for open debate. Not trying to force my opinion on anyone, but food for thought.

For those of you around their 50s or older, you will have grown up with Dick Smith. Those stores with his caricature on the front. It was an honest "easy to identify with" brand. He grew. He shared his wealth. Of course he was financially secure. He could direct his money out through his extended family. However he chose to make very very significant donations to organisations that benefitted the most disadvantaged Australians. He is a genuine and passionate human being. I suggest we only know a portion of his contributions he has made. The only publicity he seeks is a greater awareness of the Organisation he is supporting.

He is passionate about this Industry. He was the Head of CASA for a period of time. I hope I have my facts correct here, but my recollection is that he did it for $1 a year. This experience alone, gives him enormous credibility.

He started Dick Smith Electronics from a Garage, if I am correct. He has "Small Business" experience, and he has large Corporation experience as his business grew.

He is a fixed wing and helicopter pilot, and has made some World Record achievements in those aircraft.

He is passionate about Australian Made and has worked tirelessly to promote it. He is passionate about a sustainable population. He is a committed family man with strong Australian principles.

Im not affiliated with him and I have only ever had a conversation with him on a couple of occasions. He is in my opinion a very modest person, and isn't going to go singing his own praises. Research him thoroughly and you will be impressed.

For the first time in Aviation for many many decades, we have an opportunity to get 100% behind someone absolutely committed to Aviation and General Aviation. Someone genuinely passionate about a range of issues that effect every single Ppruner.

He REALLY can do this. We saw it at the last election. I suggest as he gains traction the Media and other interests not aligned with our own, will go trawling through sites such as this looking for ammunition.

An absolutely united, supporting and enthusiastic portrayal of our Industry would be a wonderful thing. I hope we can pull it off. Lets have a red hot crack at it ay?

Too true Buckers, I'm going to contact Dick. I'd like to be involved. Some of the senate independents have put a stop to some truly idiotic and stupid proposals put forward by the unrepresentative swill in the house of reps. Dick could make a real difference here.

Too true, and maybe someone could have a look at this information, and see whether our taxpayer dollars are being spent in the right places?:

Australia is now world's sixth-largest arms importer | Australia news | The Guardian

Ie: if we spent $xxx less on submarines, at how many major airports could we get a CAT III ILS system installed?

dr dre,

To an extent I believe you are correct, however with defense spending I believe they need to get rid of the middle men to make defense spending affordable, which could release funds for civil use.
As an example, my company was contracted to supply a service for the defense department through a third party. We discovered after the event that by the time it actually reached defense our price had more than doubled. I believe this is the norm rather than the exception and just one of the reasons why I accept a previous ministers statement that we couldn't build a canoe let alone a submarine.
"Soft" corruption is the norm in OZ from CAsA to defense, if Dick is prepared to take on these people he has my vote.

I'm not sure if you are making a joke but I laughed anyway, thats what Paul Keating called the Senate when he was PM.

Yep, a joke based on Paul Keating's comments! ;)

Mark in my vote, may well be the industries last chance
Nothing else seems to have worked

I'm in.
If it all still falls in a heap, well at least we tried!

And as for the 'unrepresentative swill' comment: Re the Senate; The powers of Heaven have been shaken to the core.:eek: Because for the very first time I find myself in full agreement with former PM Paul Keating!:ooh::ooh:

I think I'd better open another bottle of Red. Nerves need steadying, don'tcha know.:=

everything you can know about it... just ask them. (and its not just Ex Raffies, its ex pussers and grunts as well)

Jeez mate, nothing, that's how we ran and grew a successful business for 10 years or so when I got out.

Vote 1 Dick Smith Party
 

Bring it on Dick, you'll have my vote.

:ok::ok::ok:

PG