MUA welcomes Gillard Govt

MUA NEWS

"For maritime workers a Gillard Government means our two key, long fought for government policy commitments - Australian shipping and national safety regulation in stevedoring are once again back on track," said National Secretary Paddy Crumlin. "But there is more work ahead. None of the independents has given Labor a blank cheque and the union will need to renew its lobbying to ensure the policies are delivered."

The union's expectation is that Labor will now move quickly to implement its election policy announcement on national shipping reform ratification and establish a high level Stevedoring Safety Task Force to undertake an urgent and independent review of industry safety.

The union is also urging government to deliver on its pledge for Commonwealth funds to support national stevedoring training programs and ratify the ILO Maritime Labour Convention (Seafarers' Bill of Rights).

The national secretary said that while the MUA could count on the Greens both in the Senate and the lower house to support the policies, work lay ahead in insuring the support of independents Rob Oakeshott, Tony Windsor and Andrew Wilkie.

"I would say that we would not have any trouble in convincing Green MP Adam Bandt or former security official Andrew Wilkie of the importance of shipping to the Australian economy, security and environment," he said. "But the union will need to seek discussions with all independents in the coming month, as well as continuing to lobby Labor to make good on their promises."