
Issue No 23		23 July 1999

News

Global Mariner Shines Spotlight on Howard Shipping Policy

While the Global Mariner is in Sydney to highlight the plight of Third World seafarers on Ships of Shame, it also has a message for the Howard Government as it considers furthering opening the nation's seas.


	The Global Mariner docked at the Australian Maritime Museum

The 12,788 gt floating gallery exposes how Australia's shipping policy will impact on our beaches, harbours, marine environment and the jobs of Australian seafarers and manufacturing workers.

Its visit comes as a special senate committee is hearing reports on how the government's proposed amendments to the Navigation Act will impact on the employment conditions of Australian seafarers

And it is here at the same time the shipping task force report dealing with the issues of cabotage and industry funding has gone to Federal Cabinet.

International Transport Federation General Secretary David Cockroft, who flew to Australia to open the Global Mariner exhibition, announced at the launch of the ICRS that he wanted the cost to substandard operators so high that they, and the rustbucket ships they use, are forced to leave the market place altogether. He also called on governments to ban flags covering substandard shipping entry to their ports.

During an interview on the Sally Loane 2BL morning show, Mr Cockroft, best known for the key role he played in stopping the Dubai industrial mercenary scheme, stressed that substandard shipping was not only driving the Australian shipping industry out of business, it was driving Australian manufacturing offshore.

"It's because substandard shipping is so cheap that Australian companies can profit by having their goods produced overseas, then import them back here to flood the Australian market. Ships of Shame are taking jobs from Australian manufacturing workers."

During its 10 day stay in the ports of Sydney and Fremantle, the Global Mariner and its international crew (including three Australian seafarers) is inviting the general public, school children, dignitaries, celebrities and parliamentarians to descend into its holds and view the multimedia exhibition detailing the environmental dangers and human tragedy posed by sub-standard shipping.

MUA National Secretary and ITF executive board member John Coombs said the union will incorporate the ITF ship visit with its submission to the Senate to have key amendments made to government legislation which imperils Australian the shipping industry.

   For more details on the Global Mariner visit the NUA

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  Issue 23 contents

Interview: An Economic Wet
Dr Christopher Sheil on economic rationalism and the 1997-98 water failures in Adelaide and Sydney.

Unions: The Stench from the South
In 1997 the entire Adelaide metropolitan area was drenched in foul, sulphorous, sewerage odours, emanating from the Bolivar waste water treatment plant.

Environment: Trading into Trouble
Seattle, USA, is shaping up as demonstrator mecca in the lead up to World Trade Organisation talks.

History: Eveliegh Rail Reunion
Former workers and their families from the historic Eveleigh Railway Workshops in inner-Sydney are holding a picnic reunion and folk music festival on the site on Sunday, August 29.

International: Bosses Use Armed Gangs to Break Russian Picket
On 9 July 1999, eighty masked, uniformed gunmen accompanied by the local prosecutor and other officials tried to storm the Vyborg Pulp and Paper Mill, under occupation by workers for the past eighteen months.

Satire: New Refugee Crisis: Journalists Flee Peace Zone
The camps are once again full in the Albanian border town of Gruntiez.

Review: 10 Reasonably Interesting Moments in Film
Cultural theorist Snag Cleaver flies off the handle again..

» Water Staff Pull Plug on Pay Talks

» Hotel Survey Warns of New Years Labour Crisis

» Pfizer Jerks Workers Off

» Shafted: Howard Squibs on Entitlements

» Olympics Jobs Shortage Looms

» Nurses Change Tack on Public Health Campaign

» Actors Save Conditions from Reith Attack

» Global Mariner Shines Spotlight on Howard Shipping Policy

» New Currawong Deal Ends 25 Years of Trying

» Hands off Workers Comp

» Scully Off the Rails Over Contract Security

» PiersWatch and The Chaser in Mega Merger Deal

» Apology to Dr Bridget Griffen-Foley

» Guest Report

» Sport

» Trades Hall

» Piers Watch

» Upcoming Chippo Politics Events

» Bright Oakdale Idea

» Calling All Linesmen

» Dissent Within the Ranks!!

» Reply to Don Macchiato

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