RELOCATING commercial port operations from Glebe Island would increase housing construction costs and disrupt industry, New South Wales opposition industrial relations spokesman Damien Tudehope says.
In a combative presentation delivered to a Shipping Australia lunch at NSW Parliament House, the Liberal MP also called on businesses to remain resolute when faced with industrial conflict.
He was speaking in the context of the release last year of the NSW Freight Reform Program that made waves by suggesting port operations at Glebe Island be shifted to Port Kembla or Newcastle, allowing for more housing space close to the city.
Mr Tudehope said Glebe Island was a significant port for handling imports of cement, gypsum, sugar and salt for chlorine for water treatment.
“Glebe Island plays a smaller but complementary role [compared with Botany, Kembla and Newcastle] which could not easily be replaced,” he said.
“Any attempt to relocate these services to Port Kembla or the Port of Newcastle would add significantly to the cost of housing construction, a counterproductive outcome indeed.
“Let's hope the government sees the common sense of this issue. As an early announcement ruling out any housing project on the island that would adversely affect port operations would be welcomed as would uncertainty for relevant industries.”
Mr Tudehope said the Liberal-National coalition stood ready to assist with waterfront reforms and ensuring a productive future for shipping but “it's a two-way street”.
“If shipping companies want help dealing with middle unions or fighting against the uneven playing field that the industrial relations space is, then they need to be willing to see it through,” he said.
“More than once over the last two years we've seen dispute after dispute with the maritime unions boil over only to result in capitulation. Capitulation that slows down innovation stops the efficient use of automation and holds our industries back.”
He said there was always a price to pay for capitulating to union demands.
“I understand that for the big companies it is a simple equation and they think it is easier just to pay the union demands and stop the disruption,” he said.
“But I warn you of this, the bill always comes due. We need reforms to keep our state and our nation competitive and that can only happen when we see the companies on our waterfront.”