I watched the AGM online and I also went to the recent seminar at our airfield which was meet the new CEO etc.
One thing that was implied over and over is that all of the grizzling from 95.10 People is a waste of time. For this end of tthe market absolutely nothing has changed and nothing ever will change. By these members screaming about how their rights are being dissolved and everything else is simply not true and a member flying grassroots aircraft 15 years ago or 20 years ago still has exactly the same opportunities and conditions as they have now.
It seemed like this segment of aviation just wanted to be vocal and complain for no real reason.
From what I heard both events, I do have confidence that they are looking after our interests as recreational aviators in a rapidly changing environment with pressures from CASA, Air Services, airspace changes and safety.
From everything I saw I believe they are doing very good job on a reasonably limited budget.
I don't understand what you mean by wanting more freedom. You can take off from a deserted bleach near Byron Bay and fly all the way over to the most westerly point of Australia without using your radio a single time if this is what you want to do. You do not need to get permission or comply with 1 million rules and regulations so I don't know what more freedoms you want. There is probably no other country in the world that you can do this without restrictions.
Are you happy flying around now compared to say five years ago or compared to say 10 years ago ? For me respectfully, this is a stupid question. We always look back on the "good old days" with affections that mellow over time. Simplistically put, there is no real difference if you just want to have recreational fun and do so within some fairly generous rules which are in place to protect all aviators. Just like there are rules on the road there are rules in the air, enjoy what you can and stop complaining !