Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister. I refer to his answer yesterday where he said claims his department advised Bill Milby to re-flag the True North overseas and replace his Western Australian workforce with a foreign crew on foreign wages were inaccurate and not possible. Is he aware that last night Senator Heffernan asked his department's Judith Zielke, 'So Milby was telling the truth when he said you had discussed with him the option of going offshore? and Ms Zielke replied, 'Yes,' and, further, that Michael Sutton also confirmed they discussed the re-flagging option with Mr Milby? Why hasn't the Deputy Prime Minister— (Time expired)

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There was not a question that was asked in the 30 seconds, but, if the Deputy Prime Minister wishes to answer the statement, he is welcome to.

Warren Truss (Wide Bay, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

While the question was asked after the time had expired, I will answer it. I have not corrected the record, because there is no error in the record. The record is correct. What I said yesterday was that Mr Milby was not advised to take any particular course of action. No-one from my department has ever said to Mr Milby that he should sack his crew or reflag the vessel as has been reported. That is simply inaccurate. There were discussions, as confirmed with the transcript last night, between Mr Milby and officers of my department to discuss options and in particular to talk about elements of the report and the sorts of things that might be possible for an operation like his and, for that matter, others in the Australian shipping industry to take with the new legislation in place. They discussed a range of options. At no stage did the government tell him what he should do. He makes his own decisions as a responsible businessman.

Mr Albanese interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Grayndler.

Warren Truss (Wide Bay, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Milby has been competing with overseas vessels on the cruise routes of north-west Western Australia for many years and doing so successfully, and I have got no doubt that, in the event of the legislation the government has put before the parliament coming into effect, he will be able to do so in the future. And it will be his choice as to how he wishes to operate his business. He will do it in the interests of his employees and his company, and I am sure he will continue to provide a good service to Australians in that area.

The reality is that Labor is trying to make a big noise about these trivial issues—

Honourable members interjecting—

to cover up their own failure in relation to shipping reform. Their own shipping reform was a disaster, as the Prime Minister referred to, halving the number of vessels—

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order on relevance. We believe it is relevant sacking Australian workers and replacing them with foreign workers—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Grayndler will resume his seat. The Deputy Prime Minister has the call. The Deputy Prime Minister is relevant to the question. He is on the same policy topic.

Warren Truss (Wide Bay, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Under Labor's legislation, the number of vessels trading on the Australian shore was reduced from 30 to 15. The number on the transitional—

Mr Albanese interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Grayndler will cease interjecting.

Warren Truss (Wide Bay, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

dropped from 16 to eight. The shipping share of the industry fell. The cost of many freight rates went up by as much as 60 per cent. The reality is that under Labor the shipping industry would fade away altogether. We are seeking to give the industry a chance. I want a strong Australian shipping industry—

Ms Ryan interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Lalor.

Warren Truss (Wide Bay, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

providing freight services right around the country. That is essential if we are going to deliver our freight around our nation efficiently and effectively. It has not happened under Labor's reforms. We need to give the Australian shipping industry a chance to achieve its potential, and I encourage Labor to support the legislation so that Australians can be employed on Australian ships.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Before I call the member for Durack, the members for Lalor and Grayndler continue to interject. I have asked them not to interject a number of times. If they continue interjecting, they will be choosing to eject themselves from the chamber.