The Maritime Labour Convention, which was adopted 20 years ago, emphasizes the importance of providing adequate welfare services for seafarers. However, despite this international framework, many Australian ports are struggling to provide consistent and reliable support for these workers. The lack of a coordinated national approach has led to a reliance on individual charity and corporate donations to fund seafarer welfare services. This is not only unsustainable but also undermines the principles of equity and transparency that underpin the maritime industry.
The situation is particularly concerning given the significant contribution that seafarers make to Australia's economic security and supply chain resilience. With over 500,000 seafarers arriving in Australian ports each year, it is essential that we prioritize their welfare and provide them with access to basic necessities like rest time, medical care, and social support. Unfortunately, many seafarers are forced to sacrifice valuable time ashore just to get some respite from the rigors of life at sea.
In recent years, individual advocates have traveled across Australia securing funding for seafarer welfare services through charity donations and corporate sponsorships. While these efforts have been commendable, they are not a substitute for a national framework that ensures baseline support for all ports. The absence of federal government support has left many ports struggling to provide adequate welfare services, with some relying on ad-hoc arrangements that lack accountability and transparency.
A recent announcement by Flinders Port Holdings has provided some much-needed funding for seafarer welfare services in Australia. However, this is just a drop in the ocean compared to the $2.5 million New South Wales Ports grant secured by Mission to Seafarers over five years. The lack of coordinated national support is evident in the fact that many ports are still relying on individual charity and corporate donations to fund seafarer welfare services.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that many seafarers face significant challenges in accessing basic necessities like rest time, medical care, and social support. With limited time ashore, many seafarers have just a few hours to contact friends and family, shop, seek medical advice, or simply relax and enjoy a change of environment. This is not only unsustainable but also raises serious concerns about the welfare and well-being of these workers.
The Maritime Labour Convention calls for the establishment of port welfare committees to coordinate welfare provision at the local level. However, without active committees in place, ports lack the governance structures required to assess needs, allocate resources, and ensure accountability. This is a critical issue that must be addressed if we are to provide adequate support for seafarers.
The lack of coordination and accountability in seafarer welfare services is not only a moral imperative but also has significant economic implications. A modern maritime nation requires a coordinated, equitable, and transparent system for funding and delivering seafarer welfare services. This includes a national funding model that ensures baseline support for all ports, active port welfare committees, consistent standards aligned with MLC obligations, and mechanisms to ensure equitable distribution of resources.
The Australian government has a critical role to play in addressing this issue. By prioritizing seafarer welfare and providing a coordinated national approach, we can ensure that these workers receive the support they deserve. This includes building sustainable, equitable welfare systems that reflect Australia's responsibilities as a maritime nation and support those people and organizations devoted to filling the current void.
It is time for the Minister to demonstrate leadership at a national level and build a sustainable, equitable welfare system that prioritizes the needs of seafarers. By doing so, we can ensure that these workers are treated with dignity and respect, and that their contributions to our economy and supply chain are recognized and valued.
