Senate sinks shipping bill that would entice $2 an hour crews

By Heath Aston
Updated November 26 2015 - 8:08pm, first published 7:53pm
A container ship off Melbourne. Photo: Jessica Shapiro
A container ship off Melbourne. Photo: Jessica Shapiro
Bill Milby from North Star Cruises.  Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Bill Milby from North Star Cruises. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Tasmanian senator Richard Colbeck  Photo: Leannie Pickett
Tasmanian senator Richard Colbeck Photo: Leannie Pickett
Independent senator Nick Xenophon. Photo:  Alex Ellinghausen
Independent senator Nick Xenophon. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

The Senate has sunk government plans to open up Australia's port-to-port shipping industry to more foreign-flagged vessels – many of which are crewed by sailors paid as little as $2 an hour.

Subscribe now for unlimited access.

$0/

(min cost $0)

or signup to continue reading

See subscription options

Get the latest Newcastle news in your inbox

Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date.

We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy.