IN AN Australian-first, NSW Health will provide COVID-19 vaccinations to a small number of foreign seafarers onboard vessels that transport gas between Australian ports in an effort to reduce the risk of the virus entering the community.

The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) welcomed the initiative between NSW Health and NSW Ports, which will cover vessels that regularly visit the Port Botany Bulk Liquids Berth, but said the model must be rolled out nationally to reduce the risk of COVID transmission to waterfront workers.

Sixteen seafarers onboard Singapore-flagged LPG carrier Epic St Agnes, which is on long-term charter to Australian energy giant Origin Energy, received their first vaccination dose yesterday morning while berthed at Port Botany.

The Epic St Agnes operates exclusively on the Australian coast, loading and discharging bulk gas at ports in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory.

The initiative follows last month’s COVID outbreak on another LPG carrier chartered by Origin Energy, the Inge Kosan. Testing of crew members on that vessel — conducted after the body of one of the seafarers washed up on a beach in Vanuatu — found 12 of 13 had the virus.

MUA Sydney deputy branch secretary Paul Garrett welcomed the NSW Health initiative, but questioned why it was only taking place on a small number of vessels at the Bulk Liquids Berth.

“This Australian-first effort to vaccinate foreign seafarers that make regular visits to Australian ports is a welcome step to reduce the risk of COVID transmission to waterfront workers, but it needs to be replicated at all ports and terminals,” Mr Garrett said.

“The COVID outbreak on the Inge Kosan last month, which appears to be responsible for the death of one of the seafarers onboard, highlights the significant risk that maritime ports of entry pose as a source of community transmission.

“NSW Health has made the decision that COVID vaccinations for crews onboard gas ships that use the Bulk Liquids Terminal are essential to reduce the risk of community transmission, yet seafarers on container ships berthed just a few hundred metres away are excluded.

“More than a year on from the Ruby Princess debacle, many of the lessons still haven’t been learnt, which is why the union is continuing to fight for COVID testing and vaccinations for all international seafarers arriving in Australian ports.”

MUA national secretary Paddy Crumlin said there was an urgent need for a nationally-consistent approach to close the gaping holes in Australia’s maritime biosecurity measures.

“Thousands of foreign ships visit Australian each year, with many conducting regular trips or undertaking coastal trade between Australian ports, resulting in a significant risk of COVID transmission into the community through direct contact with waterfront workers,” Mr Crumlin said.

“I wrote to the National Cabinet again last month to warn of the significant public health threat and outline the immediate reforms needed to address this risk.

“Inconsistent and tokenistic measures, such as vaccinations for seafarers at certain ports or terminals but not at others, can’t solve what is a national threat.

“What this initiative from NSW Health does prove is that it is possible to vaccinate foreign seafarers, but those efforts will only be truly effective if they’re done in a coordinated, nationally-consistent way.

“It shouldn’t take COVID outbreaks, such as the recent one on the Inge Kosan, to force Federal, State and Territory Governments to finally take the steps needed to address the risk of COVID transmission at Australian ports.”

International Transport Workers’ Federation Australia coordinator Ian Bray said the Federal Government needed to do more to protect the wellbeing of seafarers in Australia’s maritime supply chains.

“As well as providing vaccinations for seafarers travelling to Australian ports, there also needs to be COVID testing undertaken of all seafarers arriving from foreign ports,” Mr Bray said.

“Not only would rapid testing allow Australian workers who have come into contact with confirmed cases to be immediately isolated, it would mean appropriate medical care could be provided to seafarers, along with support to prevent further spread of the virus on the vessel.

“Seafarers are responsible for transporting 98 per cent of Australia’s imports and exports, which is why it is so important to address the threat COVID poses to these maritime supply chains.”

TODAY, May 10, the first public hearing on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP), will be held by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties.

The RCEP is a regional free trade agreement between Australia and the countries of ASEAN, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea and New Zealand.

Committee Chair Mr Dave Sharma MP said, "RCEP is a significant agreement, covering almost a third of the world’s population and GDP. It is truly comprehensive, covering trade in goods and services, investment, economic and technical cooperation, promoting electronic commerce, and capturing the most recent advances in international trade in relation to intellectual property, competition and government procurement."

The RCEP is expected to enhance the economic benefits Australia already enjoys because of existing trade agreements with many of the parties to the RCEP, as well as open new opportunities for Australian businesses seeking to engage in the region.

Australian Government witnesses will speak at the public hearing in Parliament House. Further information on the inquiry can be found on the inquiry website.

Public hearing details:

Date: Monday, 10 May 2021
Time: 10am–1pm
Location: Committee Room 1R6, Parliament House

The hearing can be accessed online via the Parliament of Australia website.

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WITH the Federal Government suggesting international borders will not open until 2022, it is critical that internationally focused tourism businesses across Australia receive clarity on continued government support in order to give them certainty in planning for their future recovery.

“The government is indicating our international borders will be closed to visitors until at least the end of the year and while many tourism businesses are surviving with domestic visitation, there is a group of uniquely exposed businesses who receive little or no benefit from the current domestic travel stimulus programs,” ATEC managing director Peter Shelley said.

“While we welcome these stimulus initiatives which are helping drive domestic travel, there are many tourism products which domestic travellers are simply not booking, like day tours and attractions. Plus we have the inbound tour operator cohort who are unable to pivot their business model to benefit from domestic travel support programs.

“While these businesses have welcomed the support packages offered by the government so far, they are crying out to know if this support will continue until international borders reopen.

“Without this certainty, they have no confidence to invest in their future or begin planning for our industry’s restart, let alone continuing to hold on to the rubble of their businesses."

Mr Shelley said inbound tour operators (ITOs) were particularly exposed and will have no revenue until the borders reopen.  These businesses are crucial to the export tourism supply chain given they connect Australian tourism products to our lucrative international markets, he said.

“ITOs are the businesses which sell Australian tourism product across the world," Mr Shelley said. "They continue to manage strong forward booking enquires for future international visitors despite not having any revenue.

"They are not asking for much, just the clarity of knowing if they will receive ongoing support to sustain operations until borders open.  This knowledge will mean they can make the hard decisions about their ability to survive or if they should simply wind up their operations.

“This small cohort of ITO businesses influence, convert and manage unique Australian itineraries which are featured on the websites and in travel brochures of thousands of Aussie Specialist travel agencies around the world.

“We view this cohort of ITOs as critical strategic assets for Australia’s inbound tourism industry and without certainty in the form of ongoing government support, we will see more of these businesses close their doors, significantly eroding Australia’s competitiveness as a global tourism destination.

“ATEC is anxiously awaiting the details of the Federal Budget which will be a clear indicator of the Government’s understanding of tourism’s plight.”

www.atec.net.au

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THE Foreign Affairs and Aid Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade is holding the next stage of public hearings into the military coup in Myanmar on Thursday, May 13, 2021.

Representatives from the Department of Home Affairs, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Department of Defence will appear to provide detail on the Australian Government’s response to the unfolding crisis.

Chair of the Subcommittee, Dave Sharma MP, said the submissions from community groups and experts have helped inform Australia’s approach in supporting a cessation of violence and a return to democratic rule in Myanmar.

"Last month we heard from a wide range of diaspora groups, human rights organisations and leading experts who shed light on the deeply concerning developments in Myanmar," Mr Sharma said. "With ASEAN having now assumed a diplomatic role in resolving this crisis, the Subcommittee is keen to hear from Australian government departments about how we can best support ASEAN efforts to restore civilian rule in Myanmar."

Further information about the inquiry can be found on the Committee’s website.

Public hearing details

Date: Thursday 13 May 2021
Time: 11am to 12.30pm AEST
Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

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