The Maritime Union of Australia has warned that Ports should stay in public hands or increased user costs could be passed onto consumers in addition to the fact that jobs could be lost if key infrastructure is privatised.
There has been much discussion in the media and the community regarding privatisation of Queensland assets in the lead-up to this weekend’s state election, with debate centred around job losses and costs being passed onto householders and businesses.
There are concerns about the welfare of 21 Filipino seafarers aboard a flag-of-convenience bulk carrier berthed at Port Kembla after it was found the stores aboard the ship were severely lacking and none of the crew had been paid in four months.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has detained the ship, the Bulk Brasil, for serious breaches of the Maritime Labor Convention.
See below an article published in the Cairns Post yesterday which shows local businesses depend on Cabotage laws to operate in Australia. Tony Briggs, founder of Coral Princess Cruises said that proposed changes to Cabotage were "stupid".
"Foreign-flagged vessels can employ cheaper (overseas) crew, they don't have to comply with Australian regulations, including (those of) the Australian Maritime Safety Authority... they don't have to comply with Occupational Health and Safety, HR and IR and the main thing is they don't have to pay any tax," Mr Briggs said.
Tell Australia’s Trade Minister to say no to TPP demands in 2015.
By Patricia Ranald
Convenor of AFTINET
