The 2 day conference includes a tour of the Port of Melbourne and a place at the official AusIntermodal Dinner, held at the MCG. Post conference follow-on workshops will be held on Friday the 5th of September and include a session on “Managing port congestion through intermodalism” as well as “Responding to climate change policies in freight logistics”.

This ASA endorsed event offers a 10% discount on the cost of the conference for ASA members. For more information on registration, please contact Robyn Farrar on (03) 9646 0755.

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ASA’s Chairman, Mr. David Sterrett, has expressed enthusiasm and excitement for the future of the Association, stating that: “the emphasis is now on facilitating members’ operations in imaginative, flexible ways rather than trying to create a policy shape, then making the industry fit that shape.”

“Much of ASA’s strong performance in maritime operational and skills issues is a reflection of Teresa’s energy and dedication to the interests of Australian ship owners,” he said. “In her new role as Executive Director, Teresa brings a strong operational flavour to the leadership of the secretariat of the Association.”

Ms. Hatch was originally appointed to the ASA in January of 2003. She comes to the position of Executive Director after many great successes in her previous role as Director of Maritime Operations.

Under Ms. Hatch’s direction, the ASA will continue to thrive and will have much to offer the ASA membership and industry at large in the years to come.

Media contacts: Robyn Farrar 0400 546 561

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The Australian Shipowners Association welcomed this announcement, stating that the changes proposed to the permit system should not impose burdens on users of the permits, and should make the system more transparent.

Teresa Hatch, Executive Director of the ASA, said today that “the foreign users of permits have been referred to as serial participants in Australia’s domestic economy and will now be subject to a more appropriate level of scrutiny.”

She added: “The idea of permits being made available is good; steps are now being taken to have a good administration for their availability.”

The ASA is encouraged by the Rudd Government’s early steps toward creating a level playing field for the Australian shipping industry and anticipates that further positive developments will be revealed with the release of the Standing Committee’s report on Australia’s coastal shipping sector in October.

Media Contacts
Robyn Farrar - 0400 546 561

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The ASA was encouraged by Minister Albanese’s acknowledgment of these statistics. ASA’s Executive Director, Teresa Hatch, welcomed the Minister’s statement that these statistics demonstrate a need for policies that can reinvigorate an Australian shipping industry.

“The Rudd government has recognised the need for legislation which encourages Australians to participate in Australian shipping business, domestically as well as internationally,” Ms. Hatch said.

“As things stand now, Australian law inhibits the emergence of Australian shipping.

“Australian law requires Australians to compete in Australia at a competitive disadvantage,” she said. “It’s like Lleyton Hewitt being required by Australian law to play in Wimbledon with one hand tied behind his back.”

Ms. Hatch expressed an urgent need for the creation of a legislative regime that allows Australians to operate in an internationally competitive way, stating “this is the way to create win-win outcomes”.

“To encourage participation by Australians in our own sea trade, Australia just needs to align itself with what happens in the rest of the world,” she said.

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development is due to report on the coastal shipping policy, with recommendations on ways to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of the sector in October of this year.

Media Contacts
Robyn Farrar - 0400 546 561

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With more than 85,000 jobseekers in attendance, ASA’s Employees Relations Officer, Lee Azfar, was instrumental in ensuring shipping was “on the radar” for all in attendance at the Expos, which were held in April and May in Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane respectively. The ASA exhibited alongside a diverse cross-section of industries including government, education, IT, hospitality, retail, tourism, mining, finance and other transport sectors.

Each year the Expo attracts a unique audience of jobseekers, graduates, school leavers, skilled and mature age workers, all keen on finding their place in tomorrow’s job market.

“This is the ideal platform for the promotion of careers in the shipping industry among a varied demographic,” remarked Mr. Azfar.
“We have been able to reach a large audience in key locations around the country, delivering the message that shipping is a thriving industry with incredible opportunities available for those that choose this as their career.”

However he is quick to point out that our work is only just beginning.

“Many attendees, when stopping by the ASA stall, remarked that they ‘hadn’t ever considered shipping as a career!’, proving once again that increasingly promoting our industry and all of its benefits as a career choice is paramount if we are to address and reverse the dire skills shortage issues our industry faces today.”

Mr. Azfar reports that there were a promising number of attendees genuinely interested in a career at sea at all three events, making special note that Brisbane’s Expo yielded a tremendous response, due most likely to the Trade Show being held over the same weekend. A strong turnout of interested and enthusiastic attendees were noted at Perth’s Expo; and an impressive number of jobseekers looking to change careers, particularly those with a trade background and other transferable skills, were noted at Melbourne’s Expo.

It becomes clear that attendance at events such as these is a small step on a long journey toward promoting shipping as a career choice, however when coupled with other incentives, such as the soon-to-be launched Careers at Sea website developed by the ASA, we can begin to look to the future of the shipping industry in Australia with renewed optimism.

For media enquiries please contact:
Robyn Farrar on 0400 546 561

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Mr. Payne’s impressive career consists of more than twenty years in industrial relations and shipping industry policy development and implementation, first as Chief Industrial Officer for the Shipping Industry Employers Industrial Organisation, and subsequently as Chief Executive of the Australian National Maritime Association in 1987, now known as the Australian Shipowners Association. In his private time, Lachlan is well known for his love of all things transport related, including not just ships, but also trucks, cars, planes, sailing boats, trains and even model boat building.

With more than 130 guests in attendance at the celebration, Mr. Payne’s extraordinary contribution to the shipping industry we know today was recognised and reflected upon with speeches given by The Honourable Peter Morris; Paddy Crumlin, National Secretary of the MUA; David Parmeter, Managing Director of TeeKay Australia and David Sterrett, ASA Chairman.

Mr. Payne’s infallible passion for and commitment to the advancement of shipping in Australia formed the focal point of the evening, with an emphasis on the many successes won in industry over the past few decades.

“(Lachlan) built the (Australian Shipowners) Association from modest beginnings into a viable and respected organization,” remarked Mr. Parmeter. “Lachlan was deeply involved in all the major industry reforms, and worked prodigiously to advance the cause of the industry. So many of the things we take for granted today in the industry came about because of the work done through the decade from 1986 to 1995.”

“Lachlan deserves commendation for his initiative, his drive and consistency,” said the Honourable Peter Morris. “He always represented ASA with dignity, competence, industry expertise and determination.”

Mr. Payne was presented with a plaque of recognition and a Weather Station console, in thanks for his many years of excellence with the ASA and the shipping industry at large.

“There is no doubt that the Australian shipping industry is all the better for having had the benefit of Lachlan’s steady hand and clear vision over the past few decades,” said Teresa Hatch, Director of Maritime Operations with the ASA, and host for the evening. “The industry and, ASA particularly, will farewell their champion – but they will not forget him; and the work Lachlan has pursued for so long and so vigorously...often in the face of insurmountable and heartbreaking challenges...will continue.

“There is heart and soul in our industry and Lachlan has taught us well that passion and enthusiasm are valuable commodities.”

Mr. Payne will be retiring from his role as Chief Executive on 2 July, 2008, leaving behind a legacy of excellence with a commitment to pioneering positive change and advancement of the shipping industry in Australia.

Media Contacts: Robyn Farrar - 0400 546 561

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The inquiry has been requested by the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, with the objective of rebuilding an internationally competitive coastal shipping industry to boost Australia's competitiveness.

The Chair of the Committee, Ms Catherine King, says the Committee will inquire into coastal shipping policy and regulation with the aim of enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of Australia’s coastal shipping sector.

Ms King agrees with the Minister that the sector is of vital importance to the Australian economy. The Committees intends to explore issues such as the policy and regulatory arrangements in place for the coastal shipping sector; strategies for developing an adequate skilled maritime workforce and the effect of coastal shipping policy on the development of an efficient and productive freight transport system.

The full terms of reference for the inquiry may be obtained from the Committee Secretariat on the contact details listed below or via the website.

Submissions will be received until 11 April 2008 and can be e-mailed to itrdlg.reps@aph.gov.au or sent to the following address:

Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Govt. Committee House of Representatives PO Box 6021 Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600

Further information and advice on making submissions, can be found at: http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/itrdlg/index.htm

For media comment:
Please contact the Committee Chair, Catherine King, on 0409 855 946.

For background information:
Please contact the Committee Secretariat on (02) 6277 2352
or by email at itrdlg.reps@aph.gov.au

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