Recently the CASA has a new requirement for ALL aircraft that are within 10km of any registered airport must carry a VHF.
This has surprised most HGFA members from a combination of a distracted HGFA administration and a weak advertising campaign by CASA. I recently searched the CASA website, and found no evidence of a recent rule change in place. In fact, several CASA members were not aware of this when asked by tug pilot Steve McCarthy, who's been working on the problem.

Well, this isn't practical and needed for hang gliding and paragliding within Australia.
Free-flight pilots from around the world will need to unite and voice their dissatisfaction with the VHF requirement.

Davis Straub, an international comp-pilot and e-zine editor, has also recently offered some guidance with this recent CASA bomb.  Here's what Davis emailed last night:

"Yes, we want to get this rescinded for all hang gliding locations that are affected by this. Pilots need to know about the specific problems that this rule causes for their specific area. Then they need to send emails to the specific individual in CASA who will understand exactly what the problems are and how this is not practical for that area.  I would like the HGFA to get on the ball and provide some guidance on this within the next few days."

That's great that Davis is on the case.  After some guidance, it's going to be up to me, YOU, and your flying mates to send in your emails (hard copies preferred) to the relevant CASA representatives.  This means you'll have to take a day-off from Facebook to get this done.  Find a representative, and email or hand write your letter.  Make it happen or risk suffering bad karma when searching for your next thermal.  It's in the interest of any hang gliding or paragliding pilot, or potential pilot, world-wide, to express their disappointment with CASA.
Not only Australian and international pilots will lose out from this over-the-top rule: local and regional councils and townships will be negatively affected as more regulations can slown down XC flights and competitons within Australia.  So, there's a reason for many non-pilots to be writing to CASA.  I hope pilots and competition directors talk to their regional contacts.

Please keep an eye, my blog, the HGFA website, and especially the Oz Report for info about the rebuttle campaign and a strategic process.