KEY maritime unions have rejected a proposed revamp of the Australian International Shipping Register (second register), citing its impact on wages and crew conditions.
The proposal came from Lynelle Briggs and Emeritus Professor Nicholas Gaskell, independent reviewers of the Shipping Registration Act 1981.
Under the proposal the new second register would replace the existing AISR) while retaining some of its critical elements.
But in a joint statement, the Maritime Union (MUA), the Maritime Officers Union (AMOU) and Engineers Union (AIMPE) said they “strongly oppose the proposed ‘new second register’”.
“The revised structure of this register seems to be based entirely around the reduction of wages and conditions for crew,” the statement read.
“This proposed new register would completely undermine the viability of the few remaining Australian-crewed Australian General Shipping Register (AGSR) general licence ships trading in Australia, by putting them in direct competition with ships with a much lower wage structure”.
Maritime Industry Australia chief executive Angela Gillham said it was important to note that there were no ships registered on AISR now and there have been only two ships that have operated under the AISR since its inception in 2012.
She said the proposed ‘new second register’ would replace the existing Australian International Shipping Register (AISR), while retaining some of its critical elements, creating a situation a situation “where registration on the Australian flag would be attractive to a shipping business because of other reforms being proposed/considered by the independent review panel”.
“MIAL supports the proposal, but we have made some suggestions to the independent reviewers about other changes to regulation that if presented as a package, could work to achieve the desired outcome,” Ms Gillham said.
A spokesperson for the Department of Infrastructure said the Australian government was “committed to working with industry to ensure a resilient maritime sector that can meet our needs now and into the future, which is why the government commissioned independent reviews of the Coastal Trading (Revitalising Australian Shipping) Act 2012 and Shipping Registration Act 1981.”
“The reviewers are considering whether the current licence system is fit-for-purpose, the extent existing legislation supports future growth of Australian shipping and the future growth and potential shipping needs of Australia’s offshore renewable sector and other emerging industries,” the spokesperson said.
Read more about the unions' submissions here.