David Pocock (ACT, Independent) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the minister representing the Minister for Transport. Minister, this morning I met with Queen and Christiana who are both former Carnival Cruise crew members. These young women told me how they were forced to work for just $2.50 an hour, well below Australian minimum wages. The only reason they were forced to accept such a pittance for their labour is that the Albanese government gave Carnival's Australian ships a ministerial exemption from the coastal trading act. Minister, how can your government support 'same job, same pay', but stand by and see these workers paid so much less in Australian waters?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Pocock for his question. Of course, the government does support 'same job, same pay', and it was the Albanese government that introduced that legislation. It's now working very, very well.

But, in respect of particular issues that relate to the Carnival Cruise Line, the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 provides standards and regulations relating to seafarer welfare, including a base standard of rights and protections aimed at creating a secure working environment for those in the maritime industry.

The AMSA, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, plays a key role in enforcing international maritime safety and labour standards, including the Maritime Labour Convention. The AMSA applies a zero-tolerance approach to breaches of the Maritime Labour Convention and has the authority to issue deficiencies, detain vessels or prohibit ships from operating in Australian waters. The authority routinely acts on issues such as the payment of wages, conditions of employment and workplace health and safety.

Individuals or organisations aware of any concerns or potential breaches of the Maritime Labour Convention are encouraged to promptly notify the authority so that they can investigate and take appropriate responses. The authority investigates all complaints it receives and takes appropriate regulatory action where warranted. Complaints may be lodged directly through the authority's established complaints process by seafarers and by seafarer representatives, and I saw some of them around the building this morning. The Albanese government— (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Pocock, first supplementary?

David Pocock (ACT, Independent) | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister, for the explanation, but my question is: why has your government given Carnival an exemption from Australian labour laws for ships that are based here in Australia and operate here in Australia, in Australian waters?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Pocock for his first supplementary question. Of course, I'm not the minister in charge of these issues. We have a wonderful minister in Minister King, who is in charge. I shall convey your question to her and seek a prompt response so that I can come back to you with the correct answer, Senator Pocock.

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Pocock, second supplementary?

David Pocock (ACT, Independent) | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister. I appreciate that and look forward to hearing that answer. My understanding is that this exemption is renewed annually. Can the government give any indication or commitment that they will not renew this so that we'll have people working on ships in Australian waters that stay in Australian waters actually paid an award rate in Australia?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Pocock for his second supplementary question. Again, this is not an issue that I am familiar with, but I shall very promptly seek a response from Minister King and will come back to you at the earliest opportunity with the answers.