Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Road Safety) Share this | Hansard source

I'm actually starting to feel sorry for you, Senator Seselja. I know it's not in my character, but I am starting to feel sorry for you, because you're only reading what's being handed to you. I understand you have many strengths in this building; shipping, or foreign shipping, is not one of them.

Let me tell you this and get this very clear. As you said, this is an MSIC port. These people did not have MSICs and nor did I even try to attempt to mislead you by saying they had MSICs. But, you see, what I did say, Minister—and I really would like you to have a really good think before a piece of paper flicks over that is just completely off the planet—was: a fax would have come in, or is supposed to have come in, with all the names—48 or 24 hours out to sea—of who was on the Glorious Plumeria. As I said to you, Minister, we know this—the world knows this; Australia knows this; everyone knows this. As to the receiving ship, as to a maritime crew visa—for you, Minister: not an MSIC; a maritime crew visa for a foreign seafarer—the passports are to be kept securely locked in a safe in the captain's quarters or on the ship somewhere. That is fact, Minister. So, while your people are having a look there, I ask you once again: could I have got this wrong?