Senator Bridget McKenzie, the Nationals Senator for Victoria who is the Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, declared at this year’s Shipping Australia Christmas Luncheon that the Federal Government should have intervened in last year’s waterfront related strikes. She also vowed that the Coalition will not make the task of the maritime and landside logistics industries harder by “taking the side of militant unions … as this government’s done”.
Addressing our luncheon guests last week by way of pre-recorded messages, Senator McKenzie declared:
“We will not make your task harder by implementing union-friendly industrial relations laws, or by taking the side of militant unions determined to shut down your operations and forcing you to deal with the unions โ or elseโฆ as this governmentโs done.
“This is especially the case when it is in the interests of the country, Australian families, and small businesses. Government should have intervened to keep the ports operating, enabling fair negotiations to take place between operators and their workforce last year.
“We stand ready to work with Shipping Australia, and all stakeholders, to ensure that maritime shipping continues to thrive as the backbone of our economy”.
You can READ THE FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE.
Shipping Australia’s NSW Christmas Luncheon
Shipping Australia was privileged and honoured that last Friday, at our annual NSW Christmas Luncheon, to receive an address from Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie, who is the Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, and who is also the Nationals Senator for Victoria.
About Senator McKenzie
Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie is the Senator for Victoria, and the Leader of the Nationals in the Senate. She has served on the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee, an influential Senate Standing Committee, for several years in addition to many other Committee positions, particularly on Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. Senator McKenzie has held the position of Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development from June 2022. She has previously served in a range of Ministerial and Cabinet Ministerial positions from 2017 onwards, including as the Minister for Agriculture.
