Cameron,I assume the question in your last sentence is rhetorical but I will answer it anyway.

The current power structure in Australia is determined to continue business as usual.They lack the imagination to conceive a viable alternative.Even if some of them can see the faults in our system they lack the courage to address the issues.As the two major political parties are dependent on the BAU crowd for money,advice and expertise they can be considered to be on the bridge of the Titanic as well.

In this sort of closed shop situation so called independent reports will be no such thing.Even if the people working on the reports know full well the nasty situation we are in they will not be allowed by their executive to include those facts or recommendations in the report.If they did there would be no more work coming their way from that client.Everybody has to eat.

It is a sad situation and I suspect we will have to go much further into the mire before the penny drops.By then it may well be too late to take effective action.