The partner of one of the crew of the Hugli Spirit has written personally to every MP in the country. She would like you to write to your MP mua.org.au/email_your_mp Here is her letter: THE BITTER END OUR COAST. OUR FUEL. OUR SECURITY Dear Member, I am writing this to give you my thoughts and some background information on the rapid depletion of the Australian fuel/oil tanker fleet which is currently under-way. Australia is alone among developed countries in not having government-mandated fuel and oil stocks in case of an emergency. It has approximately two/three weeks worth of fuel supplies. Australia has no policy to ensure companies keep minimum fuel reserves. The oil majors prefer to buy cheap refined petroleum from overseas and are closing the majority of their Australian refineries. By 2016 it is estimated there will be an equivalent of 60 tankers importing refined petroleum to Australia. On 2011 World Bank data, Australia is the 9th highest per capita user of fuel in the world. The loss of the Australian refineries and the domestic supply of petroleum distributed by the Australian tankers “Tandara Spirit “ (now finished) “Hugli Spirit “(finishing early February 2015) “Alexandra Spirit “(contract expires in near future) “British Loyalty and British Fidelity”, would leave Australian consumers at the mercy of foreign crewed oil tankers. The Queensland election campaign is in full swing promising protection of The Great Barrier Reef. This can all come to nought if the substandard foreign crewed fuel/oil tankers run aground . The impact to the environment possibly unrepairable. For no other reason than for national security it is in Australias best interests to retain an Australian fleet of Australian crewed fuel/oil tankers and other shipping. America followed by Canada are the highest per capita users of fuel. Australia should adopt a shipping policy similar to USA : THE JONES ACT. This act allows strong coastal shipping regulation, and dictates that all ships travelling between US ports be carried on US flag ships constructed in the United States, owned by US citizens and crewed by US citizens and US permanent residents. I believe I speak for past and present Australian Seafarers. Do not let our future “go by the board”. We require action now, to protect OUR COAST. OUR FUEL. OUR SECURITY. or this may well be the “bitter end” for Australian shipping, Australian security and the Australian coastline! Visit FACEBOOK.COM/SECUREOURFUEL Yours faithfully Kathryn Dahl 22-01-2015
Posted on: Fri, 23 Jan 2015 07:12:35 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015