2015-11-20
Shipping deregulation bill to hit choppy waters in the senate
The Greens will oppose the Turnbull government’s attempts to deregulate Australian coastal shipping.
“It is vital that we retain a strong local shipping workforce and industry,” said Senator Janet Rice, Australian Greens spokesperson for transport.
“The government’s agenda changes will give an unfair competitive advantage to foreign-flagged vessels employing low-waged crew.
“Just this week we have 40 shipping workers whose jobs are about to be lost as Alcoa dumps them from the MV Portland crew and take on cheaper overseas labour, an option available to them under a temporary licence granted by the government.
“Under Turnbull's plans, this loss of jobs will become a flood until almost every local seafarer is out of a job.
"As an island nation, it is essential we do everything we can to support our shipping workers. The Turnbull government's mission to deregulate the industry will only make life more unstable for these people."
Alcoa receives huge electricity tariff subsidies from the Victorian government which prop up their smelter operations in Portland. The Greens have called on Premier Andrews to step in on behalf of these Australian workers.
"Alcoa can't have it both ways - they've received state subsidies for decades so have an obligation to employ local workers," said Senator Rice.
Media contact: Sam Drummond 0400 352 935