Call for Terrorist Probe

New report highlights holes in maritime border security.

The Maritime Union has backed calls by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute for an investigation into the terrorist risks involved in employing foreign seafarers on the Australian coast.

The Institute's strategy report 'FUTURE UNKNOWN: The terrorist threat to Australian maritime security' stresses that not only is a maritime attack a credible scenario, terrorists could use a ship, its cargo or container to either transport terrorists or weapons of mass destruction into our cities. It also warns "a determined and expert terrorist is likely to have little difficulty entering Australia by sea" despite the government's latest maritime security measures.

What's more the report spotlights the risk of employing foreign seafarers for the domestic shipment of volatile cargoes such as ammonium nitrate due to the risk of the ship becoming a floating bomb just waiting to be detonated in a populated centre.

"We have worked hard with the Department of Transport for meaningful security structures," said National Secretary Paddy Crumlin. "But they've turned a blind eye to this danger, regardless of our concerns.

"The union has long warned that the government shipping policy of opening the domestic transport industry to foreign shipping and guest labour only increases the risk of a terrorist attack," he said. "We welcome the Institute's recommendations. They are consistent with the union's predictions."

But yet again the Government is ignoring the warning because it is not compatible with their policy of deregulating the coast and opening it up to cheap flag of convenience shipping, long associated with criminal and terrorist activity. There is no scrutiny of foreign crews in particular while Australian crews accept thorough background checks on every aspect of their seafaring certifications as well as undergoing full criminal and personal background checks.

"It's just another example of the duplicity in the security policy of this Government," said Paddy Crumlin. "They are prepared to put cheap freight rates and cheap exploited labour above national security. It beggars belief. A full inquiry is in the public interest."