ALP Shipping Resolution

Given Australia's coastal freight task, the number of ports around our enormous coastline, the distance to our foreign markets by sea and our historic maritime traditions, Australia is truly a shipping nation.

The Howard Government's attitude toward this vital industry however has resulted in the lowest participation of Australian owned, operated and crewed ships in our nation's history.

The wholesale abuse of the single and continuous voyage permit system under the Howard Government has laid our coastline open to the ravages of flag of convenience shipping.

These abuses have led to job losses in the shipping industry devastating the maritime skills base in our country.

Contrived unavailability of Australian tonnage has unfairly favoured cheap foreign crews and flag of convenience shipping in the Australian domestic transport trade at the expense of Australian investment.

Foreign shipping engaged in the domestic trade poses threats to our nation's security, environment and employment opportunities.

The Howard Government has allowed bilateral trade deals such as that with China over gas and East Timor over oil and gas to be signed off without any attempt to negotiate a shipping component, to the detriment of Australian shipping and employment.

Without any Australian participation in the international trade, Australian shippers are at the mercy of international conference lines. During the second half of 2003 conference lines more than doubled their freight rates. The conference lines are operating to suit their profits rather than Australia's needs as a trading nation.

• The ALP recognises the importance of a strong and viable shipping industry using Australian seafarers working under the Australian flag and conditions.

• The ALP renews its commitment to the retention of cabotage and commits to a full review of the Permit system and the conditions under which single and continuous voyage permits are issued. This review will include application of the Maritime Transport Security Act to foreign vessels to ensure a level playing field.

• The ALP commits to encouraging long-term investment to rebuild the Australian maritime industries, protect our vast coastline and marine environment and to re-establish our defence self sufficiency.

• The ALP also recognises the competitive nature of the international shipping industry and will ensure that Australian seafarers working in international trades are not disadvantaged compared to other seafarers in international trades. Further, the ALP will give consideration to the introduction of a tonnage tax regime similar to the schemes introduced by the UK and other OECD nations.

• The ALP recognises that the efficient provision of salvage services under the Navigation Act 1912 is important not only for saving lives, but also protecting the environment. Given the unpredictability of salvage work and that no vessels are engaged exclusively in salvaging services, Labor recognises that salvage capability will continue to be provided by harbour towage services and a range of other vessels depending on the nature of the salvage task. Governments at all levels have a responsibility to provide salvage infrastructure and to work with the private sector towage companies to guarantee the reliability of towage services around the Australian coastline.

• The ALP recognises the work of the International Transport Workers' Federation, in the protection of international seafarers visiting our ports. We support seafarer's human and industrial rights progressed by welfare organisations and Maritime unions. Further the ALP endorses the call for a genuine link between all ships and their flag state to exist as a means to combating abuses under the flag of convenience system.