RALLY TODAY: Sydney Community Anger Over Deputy PM’s Shipping Laws

Published: 19 May 2015

Protestors will confront Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss at the Marriott in Sydney over plans to introduce “WorkChoices On Water.”

New Coastal Shipping changes snuck through in the Budget would hand over Australia’s coast to cheap foreign operators with limited background checks.

Australia’s maritime security and natural environment should not be put at risk.

The Budget papers have confirmed the Abbott Government will attempt to throw another Australian industry on the scrap heap with the announcement it intends to radically alter the Coastal Trading Act or remove it altogether.

Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss will address a Shipping Australia lunch about key aspects of his plan.

MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin said: “The MUA strongly urges that the Coastal Trading Act is not unwound as it is demonstrably in the national interest to retain and grow the coastal shipping industry.

“If implemented, the Abbott Government’s move represents a radical policy change that is ignorant or negligent to the critical importance of a domestic shipping industry.
 
“These changes could spell disaster on a number of fronts – maritime jobs, skills, fuel security, national security and pose a threat to the environment.
  
“The Abbott Government’s changes could directly impact around 2,000 direct jobs and up to 8,000 associated jobs - so 10,000 Aussie jobs on the chopping block.

“But rather than protect local jobs, the Abbott Government wants to open up our coast to all comers – carrying such substances as car and jet fuel, diesel and ammonium nitrate.
 
“There could also be a significant impact on the offshore oil and gas sector - with limited visa regulations and oversight.”

Event details here.



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Authorised by P Crumlin, Maritime Union of Australia, Sydney