Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I know that the member for Dawson would be extremely concerned about that. When it is less expensive to ship cement from China than from port to port? What does this say to our home-grown, proud Aussie manufacturing industry providing local jobs for local people? Then again, after the recent revelations that the government has approved a scheme to allow mining magnate Gina Rinehart to bring in 1,700 overseas guest workers for her Pilbara iron ore project, without making proper attempts to find local workers first, why should anyone really be surprised?

The government's regulatory impact statement acknowledges that freight prices might go up under this legislation before the House but ignores the fact that there are alternative supplies overseas which can replace our local industries and, disastrously, the jobs which go with them. Many customers have sought more information on the financial effects of the package on the cost of moving freight. Several submissions to the House and Senate inquiries demanded that a Productivity Commission inquiry be held to determine what impact this complex regulatory change will have on the Australian coastal shipping industry, the cost of freight and the costs to coastal shipping customers. The coalition supports this move, particularly in light of the abridged House committee inquiry which was held.

We would also ask that the Productivity Commission look into the implications on the cruise industry, because what this means to our tourism industry is also vitally important to consider. It is often forgotten that tourism is subject to the same requirements as the coastal cargo trade, and its concerns have been largely overlooked in the reform agenda. The coalition is committed to the Australian coastal shipping industry and agrees that it is important that it be revitalised. We do not, however, believe this package will achieve that aim and for this reason move the amendments to the package to improve the wording and the policy.

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