Support for Shipping Protection

Date: 22 May 2007

The Maritime Union of Australia today called on the Howard Government to model Australian shipping laws on those enacted by US President George W Bush.

The push to strengthen protections for Australian seafarers working on ships servicing the Australian coast reflects public polling finding massive support for protecting Australian shipping.

A poll of 800 voters in marginal seats across Australia conducted for the MUA by Essential Research found that 4 per cent support a banning ships serving our coast from employing foreign crews. Only 14 per cent believe ships should be allowed to employ foreign crews/.
Maritime Union of Australia national secretary Paddy Crumlin said the Australian public was aware of the economic, environmental and national security dangers from Flag of Convenience shipping.
The MUA is pushing both sides of politics to embrace cabotage laws modeled on the system that operates in the USA with the full support of the Bush Administration.
"The USA recognizes that local shipping needs local crews who have the requisite security checks and training," Mr Crumlin said.
"Instead we have a system where the Australian coast is being served by ships flagged in tax havens crewed by workers being paid less than $1 per hour."
"The Australian public is sending the Howard Government and the ALP a strong message that they want a similar set of protections for the Australian coast.
The MUA is this week hosting talks through the International Bargaining Forum that will establish wages and conditions for more than 55,000 seafarers.
For further information contact:
 Paddy Crumlin tel. 0418 379 660 or Tim Fitzsimmons

For further information

Contact:	Peter Lewis
Union:	Labor Council of NSW
WWW:	http://workers.labor.net.au/

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