Sorry Escadrille, I have a tendancy to say it how I feel (rather than how it should be). Gets me into trouble all the time.
Regardless of the intent of RAAus I do think that it will become more and more difficult for them to cater to all of the recreational hobbies. Perhaps a split is absolutely required.
Really the commetn about hardening up relates to the constant whining about HF and EPIRBS etc. I don't think the extra cost etc. is all that much to ask when a changing environment is evident. Yes you may have been flying for 20 years and been safe but does that mean we make an exception just for you? Does it mean that the other guy who has been flying for 20 years is just as safe as you and just lucky?
I understand my aspirations may influence my opinion but I did start in GA and moved to RA when I saw that it fit my requirements, and still does.
But as you say this is all good discussion and if you are not happy about something you have to speak up otherwise noone will ever know.