Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon has joined in solidarity with the recently sacked workers from Newcastle and surrounds at rally in Canberra to save Australias shipping industry. The seafarers are among 80 who lost their jobs when Bluescope and BHP dumped the last two Australian-crewed coastal bulk iron ore carriers last month.The treatment of these hard-working seafarers has been utterly shameful they were on the high seas thousands of miles away from home without any support or union representation when they found out theyd lost their jobs, Ms Claydon said.
Many of these seafarers have families and mortgages. Now theyve been kicked in the guts, and will almost certainly be replaced by foreign workers on as little as 2 an hour, Ms Claydon said.
The Morrison Government needs to stop granting temporary licences for routes like the ones travelled by the MV Mariloula and MV Lowlands Brilliance that are clearly permanent. This is a blatant abuse of the intent of the legislation.
Ms Claydon said the revitalisation of Australias shipping industry would be a core priority for Labor if it wins Government.
Aussie seafarers are among the best in the world but the Liberal Government has worked tirelessly to do everything they can to undermine these jobs.
As the largest island nation, a strong national shipping industry is critical to the environment, to our skills capability and to our national security.
Video of the seafarers is available at htps://www.facebook.com/SharonClaydonforNewcastle/videos/324786408159369/
