Howard ships jobs offshore

Christine Milne, Press Release

“Ten years ago, there were 104 Australian-flagged ships working the Australian coastline. Now, there are only 52,” Senator Milne said in Hobart.

MEDIA RELEASE

Sunday, 9 July 2006

PM Howard shipping jobs offshore

The Australian Greens today suggested it would be more honest for Prime Minister John Howard to swap the Australian flag used for news conferences to a Cayman Islands flag, since he seems to prefer it flying over ships plying Australian waters.

Australian Greens Senator for Tasmania, Christine Milne, said the dispute in Hobart over the intention of the Norwegian company to change the MT Stolt Australia to a foreign flag and dismiss 18 Australian crew members was the latest example of the Howard government undermining Australian shipping and Australian values.

“Ten years ago, there were 104 Australian-flagged ships working the Australian coastline. Now, there are only 52,” Senator Milne said in Hobart.

“Waving the Australian flag and wearing the Australian colours are more than just for show. Every time the Cayman Islands flag is run up the flagpole where an Australian flag used to fly, the Prime Minister stands condemned.

“Prime Minister Howard says he supports the battlers and Australian jobs but he continues to drive jobs offshore, leaving the battlers unemployed and faced with a $33,000 fine if they take action to try to save their jobs. How un-Australian is that?

“Australians are worried every time they hear of Australian jobs going overseas. On this occasion, the 18 crew jobs will be shifted to the Philippines.

“Fairness, fair wages and decent working and environmental conditions are central to Australian values. The Prime Minister tramples these values when he drives wages, conditions and environmental standards down to the level of developing countries.

“Foreign-flagged vessels are notorious for cutting corners with human and environmental safety. The community should be worried that foreign-flagged ships with their foreign crews, in increasing numbers, are transporting chemicals and oil around the Australian coast.”

Senator Milne joined the community protest at the zinc smelter in Hobart today to lend the Australian Greens’ support to the efforts of the shipping workers who want to keep their jobs.