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Seafarers often suffer shocking abuse, Senator Julian McGauran said in the keynote speech at a national forum on seafarers' welfare in Melbourne today.
'This forum follows a series of Federal Government inquiries into ship safety throughout the 1990s (Ships of Shame, 1992 and Ship Safe, 1998). These inquiries highlighted, among other things, ongoing and severe breaches in crew welfare (specifically in relation to foreign seafarers) and cited cases where such breaches occurred in Australian waters', Senator McGauran said.
'More than 50 invited delegates are attending the forum. They come from welfare groups, shipping and ports industries, law enforcement agencies, Federal and state agencies, and the trade union movement.
'The theme of the forum is Communication, Awareness and Safety and it's objectives are to:
- develop a national appreciation of the challenges facing the organisations involved in seafarers' welfare;
- gather ideas and provide practical solutions on how these challenges can be met; and
- establish ongoing working groups to develop and implement ideas and strategies to assist seafarers.'
Senator McGauran said the key expected outcomes of the forum were greater understanding and awareness of the issues among concerned welfare agencies, transport industries and governments.
'My hope is that effective communication and co-operation in planning strategies can be developed, among the groups participating in this forum, to deal with these serious issues', Senator McGauran said.
The forum is examining seafarer welfare issues and has been organised by the Stella Maris Apostleship of the Sea and the Australian Council of the Mission to Seafarers, with sponsorship from the Commonwealth Department of Transport and Regional Services. It is being held over 22-23 August at the Savoy Park Plaza Hotel in Melbourne.
Media inquiries:
Senator McGauran's office: Jodie Forbes (03) 9650 3622
Department of Transport & Regional Services: Veronika ain 0407 100 159
Department of Transport & Regional Services: Chris Clarke 0412 305 255
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