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Don’t abandon Australian shipping

Did you know?

99% of our nation’s trade is done by sea. Fewer locally owned and operated ships have left Australia at the mercy of foreign markets. For example, Australia is only ever three weeks away from running out of fuel. This is an unacceptable threat to our livelihood and national security.

More foreign owned vessels with less trained masters have also increased the probability of a catastrophic environmental disaster occurring on our doorstep.

As an island nation with over $1.2 billion worth of goods imported and exported every day, we can’t afford to abandon our shipping industry.

Join us in fighting for more investment in shipping, before more Australian ships and maritime jobs are lost overseas forever.

THE TOP 7 ISSUES

  1. Ensure that Australian crewed ships are given priority on our coast
  2. More investment in Australian shipping including our future naval build
  3. Less foreign workers working on Australian ships means more Australian jobs
  4. Less red tape and regulation for Australian operators that encourages local investment and job creation
  5. Better access to high-quality training for seafarers to develop their skills and gain more sea-time
  6. A clearer national vision for the Australian maritime industry that builds confidence and reflects our unique island situation
  7. Increase the use of Australian ships and Australian mariners in our coastal port-to-port trade

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

    Email the Federal Trade and Transport Ministers

    See letter

    Dear minister,

    Don’t Abandon Australian Shipping!

    I am writing to ask you to not abandon our shipping industry, and to rethink and amend The Coastal Trading (Revitalising Australian Shipping) Amendment Bill 2017, due to be heard in parliament soon.

    Much to my concern, the Bill in its current form will do nothing to arrest the decline in local content in our shipping industry. The Bill will not provide one extra Australian job in our maritime industry or put one extra Australian flagged ship on our coast. In fact, the proposals in the Bill will make it easier for foreign owned ships with foreign crews to operate on the Australian coast and even extend foreign involvement into our offshore oil and gas industry.

    The commitment we need from you is:

    • Ensure that Australian crewed ships are given priority on our coast

    • More investment in Australian shipping including our future naval build

    • Less foreign workers working on Australian ships means more Australian jobs

    • Less red tape and regulation for Australian operators that encourages local investment and job creation

    • Better access to high-quality training for seafarers to develop their skills and gain more sea-time

    • A clearer national vision for the Australian maritime industry that builds confidence and reflects our unique island situation

    • Increase the use of Australian ships and Australian mariners in our coastal port-to-port trade

    TOO MANY MARITIME OFFICERS ARE BEING LOST AT SEA

    Australian seafarers are some of the most highly trained in the world and respect Australia’s most fragile environments such as the vulnerable Great Barrier Reef. Australian coastal vessels are currently maintained to the highest standard. Contrast this with cheap foreign trading ships with proven incidents of environmental, safety and crew welfare breaches.

    IT’S TIME TO PUT OUR FLEET FIRST.

    You have the power to make the necessary changes to revive our proud shipping industry. Don’t abandon us, revive our industry today to save and create thousands of Australian jobs.

    Yours sincerely,

    MEMBERS STORIES

    Leonard Fernando

    "There are too few opportunities for Australian seafarers, we need the government to invest in our coastal shipping trade and create more jobs for seafarers."

    Leonard Fernando

    Nikki Smith

    “Without Australian ships and seafarers, we’re extremely vulnerable. To get our industry going, I’d really like to see tax breaks for Australian shipping and seafarers.”

    Bill Korevaar

    Alex James

    “I’m a third generation seafarer but I’m definitely not encouraging my son to join the industry because without government incentives, we won’t have an Australian shipping industry”

    Michael Pereira

    HOW CAN YOU HELP

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      Our maritime shipping industry needs your support.

      Australia is under threat. In the 1980s there were 130 Australian vessels plying
      trade around Australian ports. Today there are 11.

      Fewer Australian owned and operated ships puts all Australians at risk as foreign
      vessels with less trained masters increase the risk of accidents and reduce our
      national security.

      As an island nation that relies heavily on shipping, we are at increased risk of more
      environmental disasters, fuel security and national security by not protecting our
      industry.

      Ninety-nine percent of our trade is by sea. With over $1.2 billion worth of goods
      imported and exported every day, it’s an industry worth fighting for.

      You can help by lending us your voice. We need your support to revive our industry
      and make the seas fairer. Join us in fighting for more shipping, more jobs and less
      regulation. Sign up today.