The NSW Opposition has called on the Minns Labor Government to stand up for NSW businesses and regions in the ongoing industrial dispute at the State’s busiest port that is causing millions of dollars of damage to the NSW economy.
Acting Leader of the Opposition Natalie Ward said Chris Minns has a chance to stand up for the thousands of people across NSW who will be impacted by the by the Maritime Union of Australia industrial action, by calling on the Albanese Labor Government to urgently intervene.
“Chris Minns needs be a man of his word – when Port Botany was previously under siege by protesters he said having it blocked would be ‘hugely damaging to our economy’. Now that the damage is coming from a union strike, Chris Minns needs to show us that he’s not just all words and no actions,” Ms Ward said.
Shadow Minister for Regional NSW Dugald Saunders said the disagreement between DP World and the Maritime Union of Australia is causing more than $25 million worth of damage in NSW each week and having a negative flow on effect to regional communities.
“Residents and businesses in the bush rely on the smooth flow of goods to and from Port Botany every day, and the last thing they need is industrial action crippling major supply chains,” Mr Saunders said.
“This is already being widely felt by our primary producers who need to be able to import and export their goods, with the delays not only costing time, but also devaluing perishable products like meat and fresh fruit and vegetables.
DP World already has a backlog of around 48,000 shipping containers nationwide, with delays on essential items ranging from two to eight weeks and set to worsen.
Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations Damien Tudehope said Chris Minns and the federal Labor Government were running out of time before the escalating industrial action begins to have a serious impact on everyday consumers who will end up paying higher prices as a result.
“The Albanese Labor Government could have ended this strike with a stroke of a pen, by forcing both parties to the Fair Work Commission,” Mr Tudehope said. “Instead, the Labor Government are endangering our state’s economy and proving that they are under the thumb of union bosses.”
Shadow Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the dispute will significantly impact freight which will have serious repercussions for regional businesses.
“DP World plays a big role in the port’s operations, handling containerised freight that carries everything from grain to fresh produce, meat, farming equipment and machinery,” Mr Farraway said.
“Port Botany handles more than 90 per cent of containers in NSW and this industrial action has massively blown out the time to move those containers and get vital supplies to our rural communities.
“This is costing the regions millions of dollars and if it is not rectified, it will start costing jobs. It’s a no win situation at the moment and the Government needs to step up and do something about it.”
Managing Director of Fletcher International Exports, Roger Fletcher says he has already seen four months of impact on his business.
“This dispute has been affecting our trade for longer than people realise, and the ramifications are felt every step of the way,” Mr Fletcher said.
“The farmers produce the lamb or sheep, which then gets transported to the abattoir for processing and is then packed by hundreds of staff, before it is taken to the port where it fails at the last step.
“It costs everyone involved all the way down the line. It isn’t fair on the farmers, it isn’t fair on our employees and it isn’t fair on our customers overseas, and quite frankly this is destroying Australia’s reputation.”