It’s not every day that someone puts out a press release begging people to stop calling. Ladies and gentlemen … meet Dick Smith. He has nothing to say.
From:
Sent: Thursday, 9 October 2008 10:20 AM
To:
Cc: ‘fuller.ron@abc.net.au’; ‘obrien.kerry@abc.net.au’; ‘ljones@seven.com.au’; ‘ablunden@seven.com.au’; ‘aboland@seven.com.au’; ‘mclarke@seven.com.au’; ‘dbreen@networkten.com.au’; ‘fcanu@nine.com.au’; ‘kelstub@nine.com.au’; ‘cmurray@nine.com.au’; ‘dpeters@nine.com.au’; ‘rcarmody@nine.com.au’; ‘dkeens@nine.com.au’; ‘rlenarduzzi@nine.com.au’; ‘news.sydney@aap.com.au’; ‘cchristian@nine.com.au’; ”schmitt@nine.com.au’; ‘sbouda@nine.com.au’; ‘paul.cutler@sbs.com.au’; ‘cos@sbs.com.au’; ‘cwillis@seven.com.au’; ‘ljones@seven.com.au’; ‘ablunden@seven.com.au’; ‘news@networkten.com.au’; ‘rayhadley@2gb.com.au’; ‘breakfast@2ue.com.au’; ‘steveprice@2ue.com.au’; ‘mdews@dmgradio.com.au’; ‘jonesd@theaustralian.com.au’; ‘leysn@theaustralian.com.au’; ‘news@dailytelegraph.com.au’; ‘srnicholls@smh.com.au’; ‘dgoodsir@smh.com.au’; ‘akermanp@dailytelegraph.com.au’; ‘CReason@seven.com.au’; ‘keenan.bernie@abc.net.au’; ‘mbrown@smh.com.au’; ‘creedys@theaustralian.com.au’; ‘camaroo@ozemail.com.au’; ‘drive@3aw.com.au’; Eric Beecher; ‘pdphelan@optusnet.com.au’; ‘hamishalcorn@hotmail.com’; ‘PVeness@aap.com.au’; Sophie Black; ‘mail@ausaviation.com.au’; ‘shelleyross@yaffa.com.au’; ‘mgrattan@theage.com.au’; ‘jtopsfield@theage.com.au’; ‘gwinestock@afr.com.au’; ‘alanjones@2gb.com’; ‘jamesc@adv.newsltd.com.au’; ‘stutchburym@theaustralian.com.au’; ‘stewartc@theaustralian.com.au’
Subject: Dick Smith media release re QantasMEDIA RELEASE THURSDAY 9 OCTOBER 2008
DICK SMITH SAYS, “PLEASE STOP PHONING ME ABOUT QANTAS — I CAN’T DO ANYTHING.”
Dick Smith said, “Since the serious Qantas incident I have been besieged with phone calls from the media wanting me to comment on the aviation safety problems we have in Australia today.
“I have not been Chairman of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), nor responsible for aviation safety, for over nine years,” said Dick Smith.
“Yes, I am concerned about what is happening. However for me to comment is a futile waste of time. A decade ago I warned what the results would be if strong enforcement — using administrative fines — did not take place.
“Please call the man in charge, Mr Mike Taylor, Secretary of the Department, who is responsible for CASA, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), and Airservices Australia. His phone number is 02 6274 7573,” said Dick Smith.
“He is the person who can give you comments in relation to airline safety in Australia and the present ability of the people at CASA to enforce the safety regulations, or give comments on the ability of the ATSB to stand up to Qantas and write a report without fear or favour.
“Mr Taylor would also be able to comment on why we have airlines operating in airspace without any air traffic services.
Dick Smith said, “In my experience, operational staff within the bureaucracy would have their future careers curtailed if they actually stood up and told the truth.”
Is it kosher to publish even work addresses?
Just wondering… (I note Sophie Black’s is suppressed)
Dick Smith is basically truthful; however, he was the one who allowed light aircraft to fly below 5000 Feet without a flight plan and without maintaining radio reporting with Flight Service. Maybe that started another mindset. Qantas is reaping the whirlwind of off-shore aircraft maintenance just to scrimp on expenses at the risk of damaging their safety record. One day this will all come to a head in a disastrous way and some people will be saying “Told you so”. Curious though, Virgin Blue seems to be carrying more passengers with less delays and fewer emergencies. Wonder where they have their aircraft serviced.
Thanks for the mail list Dick AND crikey!