Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Hansard source

The government understands how the termination of contracts for the MV Lowlands Brilliance and the MV Mariloula will affect Australian seafarers and their families. However, this is entirely a commercial decision by BHP and is not subject to government regulation. The Coastal Trading (Revitalising Australian Shipping) Amendment Bill 2017 makes regulatory amendments intended to reduce regulatory burden on industry, make coastal shipping a more viable mode of transport and benefit the manufacturing, mining, agricultural and energy sectors. The amendments maintain protections for Australian freight vessels and pay and conditions of Australian seafarers.