Billions of dollars of goods and commodities are exported every year from Australia.
And where in the nation are they exported from?
“Well, they come from our regions. Around two-thirds or $400 billion is generated in regional Australia, writes the Hon Kevin Hogan MP, the Federal Member for Page in New South Wales.
“And how do we get these goods and services to our trading partners? Through our shipping and ports sector, which handles 99 per cent of our trade by volume. Every day, ships carry the goods, fuel and resources that sustain our economy, and our ports connect Australian producers and consumers to the world.
“I the stevedores who load and unload cargo from ships; the container crane operators moving boxes on and off vessels; the ship masters commanding the vessel, its safety and navigation; the marine engineers running and maintaining the engines and mechanical systems; the terminal planners designing loading plans so ships are stable and efficient; cargo surveyors checking cargo condition, quantity and stowage; the logistics coordinators scheduling trucks, rail and deliveries to match ship times; and the ship chandlers supplying food, equipment and spares to visiting ships.
“Without these jobs that facilitate the movement of our goods, Australia could not be the exporting powerhouse that it is. So, I want to say thank you – to everyone involved in Australia’s shipping industry. Without you our prosperity would not be.”
