{"id":20255,"date":"2020-10-28T07:40:04","date_gmt":"2020-10-28T04:40:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.al-sindbad.net\/government-promises-to-invest-au21-million-in-queensland-shipping\/20255\/"},"modified":"2020-10-28T07:40:04","modified_gmt":"2020-10-28T04:40:04","slug":"government-promises-to-invest-au21-million-in-queensland-shipping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.al-sindbad.net\/government-promises-to-invest-au21-million-in-queensland-shipping\/20255\/","title":{"rendered":"Government promises to invest AU$21 million in Queensland shipping"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Australia’s Palaszczuk Government has announced plans to invest AU$21 million ($14.9 million) over two years to revitalise Queensland’s shipping industry. <\/strong><\/p>\n

As disclosed by Mark Bailey,<\/strong> Transport and Main Roads Minister, a priority will be a new shipping service between Townsville and Brisbane crewed by local seafarers.<\/p>\n

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New Townsville to Brisbane shipping route announced with 26 Townsville blue collar maritime workers – Qld workers & Qld ships.<\/p>\n

Part of a $21m Maritime industry commitment! <\/p>\n

Well done @ScottStewartMP<\/a>! pic.twitter.com\/cSjcyVBbqS<\/a><\/p>\n

— Mark Bailey MP (@MarkBaileyMP) October 27, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

In addition, the government said it would invest in port facilities upgrades and ensure that ports remain in public ownership. <\/p>\n

There will also be $1 million set aside for training, providing opportunities for Queenslanders to enter the industry or increase their skills. <\/p>\n

The announcement has been welcomed by the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) as a vital step to create local jobs and strengthen supply chains. <\/p>\n

\u201cThis investment in the \u2018blue highway\u2019 along Queensland\u2019s coast will not only create jobs for local seafarers, it will strengthen the maritime supply chains that are vital for keeping the state\u2019s economy ticking and delivering essential goods to the community,”<\/em> Stephen Cumberlidge<\/strong>, MUA Queensland Branch Secretary, commented.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe creation of a new shipping service between Townsville and Brisbane will provide improved freight movement while also increasing marine safety and protecting the Great Barrier Reef by using highly-skilled local seafarers.”<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cBy investing in upgrades to publicly-owned ports and funding training for existing seafarers and locals wanting to enter the industry, Labor\u2019s pledge will ensure the long-term viability of our vital industry.”<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThis announcement doesn\u2019t just deliver jobs, it actively strengthens Australia\u2019s supply chains by increasing the use of locally owned and crewed vessels along the Queensland coast,”<\/em> he added. <\/p>\n

MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin<\/strong> said the announcement built on the work of the Maritime Jobs Taskforce, established by the Labor Government earlier this year. <\/p>\n

\u201cAustralia was caught unprepared by the COVID pandemic, which highlighted the threat to our sovereignty caused by a dependence on foreign shipping for domestic and international trade,\u201d<\/em> Crumlin said.<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s announcement is said to be a practical response to that threat, with a clear plan to strengthen domestic seafaring and reduce the reliance on foreign flag-of-convenience vessels crewed by ‘exploited’ workers.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs we move towards the recovery phase from the COVID crisis, steps that strengthen the resilience of our supply chains and ensure our island nation is served by skilled Australian seafarers should be commended.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n

Earlier this year, MUA won a four-and-a-half-year legal battle for ten Australian seafarers who refused to be replaced by foreign, cheaper workers.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\tMUA: Australian seafarers win legal victory over MV Portland replacement
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  • Human Capital<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n
    \n\t\t\tPosted:<\/span> 2 months ago\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

    After finding out that Alcoa was planning to fire 40 Australian seafarers and sell the MV Portland bulker, the seafarers undertook a two-month sit-in to prevent their Australian-flagged vessel to be sold.<\/p>\n

    The post Government promises to invest AU$21 million in Queensland shipping<\/a> appeared first on Offshore Energy<\/a>.<\/p>\n