Publication of April On Watch has been delayed... WA branch elections are due, members can access the Election Notice & Nomination Form by clicking on 'WA Branch Elections 2013' in the left panel....
Federal Executive Elections were held at Federal Council meeting on 19 June. Results are available by clicking on Elections in the left panel
Marine Order 3 - important news from AMSA. Go to 'News,Reports & Publications' - 'Latest News' in the left panel to read this update.
On Thursday 31 May the Shipping Reform Bills passed through the Lower House. the Hansard debate can be viewed here.... Hansard 31 May House of Rep's (572.91 KB)
AIMPE's submission on MO3 can be viewed here MO3 submission by AIMPE (487.40 KB)
STCW Manila seafarer training amendments enter into force on 1 January 2012; Click on the IMO logo for more information. 
AIMPE National Conference West Coast ~ East Coast shows solidarity on Marine Order 3 and related issues.
Material from the Conference is available on the Members Only web pages.
Navigation Amendment Bill fixes sick pay problem
Following representations by AIMPE Greens MP Adam Bandt has moved an amendment to the Navigation Amendment Bill to fix up the loophole which allowed shipowners [and employers] to put seafarers off pay if they were put ashore because of sickness which lasted less than 7 days. Very few operators have used this provision but once the new law is proclaimed it will not be possible for anyone to stoop that low again. Mr Bandt’s contribution is recorded in the House of Representatives Hansard:
Extract from Hansard
102 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Tuesday, 20 September 2011
Mr BANDT (Melbourne) (19:30): I move amendment (1) as circulated in my name:
(1) Schedule 1, page 11 (after line 6), after item 29, insert:
29A At the end of paragraph 132(6)(b)
Add “and”.
29B Paragraph 132(6)(c)
Repeal the paragraph.
The Greens commend the government for introducing this bill. It is a welcome move. It will implement into Australian law a number of important provisions in the Maritime Labour Convention. They are, as has been described, a bill of rights for seafarers. They will extend some important rights and protections for those working in the industry.
One of those important rights is the right to get medical care, as has been mentioned previously in the debate. However, the Greens see that there is no reason to impose a minimum qualifying period of seven days, as is set out in the bill, before medical care is to be made available. It is not something that is required in the convention. It is not something that would be a common standard in society, and one could readily imagine instances in which someone would be ill for a period of fewer than seven days but nonetheless be deserving of protection. On that basis we move the small amendment that has been circulated in my name. I thank the Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers for drawing this to my attention. I commend the amendment to the House.
Martin Byrne
Assistant Federal Secretary
AIMPE
0419 243263
02 96983999
Merchant Navy Officers Pension Fund
The MNOPF has recently written to anyone who lives outside of the UK and is currently receiving a pension from them. The request was for some personal information to ensure pension payments are being received safely. If you fall into this category and have either not received a letter or have not yet been able to respond please contact MNPA Limited urgently on +44 1372 200322 or email MNOPFmailing@mnpa.co.uk.
Class 3 Engineers: Important decision of AIMPE Federal Council 02 June 2011. In the left panel, click on Engineer Officer Training issues to read about this significant change.
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A PDF of the Open Letter can be downloaded here  Open Letter to ALP Caucus (54.23 KB)
Shipping Reform: Minister announces new ALP shipping policies, download here; Shipping Reform (28.05 KB)
RED ENSIGN CAMPAIGN
The Red Ensign Campaign which AIMPE kicked off in July will continue even though there is a new minority Government in Canberra.
Both the ALP and the Coalition released policies before the election on 21st August indicating some support for Australian Shipping. Both parties made positive statements about tonnage tax and other aspects of shipping policy.
However we have heard promises before. The Red Ensign campaign will seek action from the Parliament, not more words.
In the next phase of the Red ensign Campaign AIMPE will be providing members with more bumper stickers – for your second car, for relatives or for friends [anyone who will support the campaign].
AIMPE will also provide all members of the 43rd Parliament with a copy of our recent submission on the re-writing of the Navigation Act. Reforms like tonnage tax and accelerated depreciation are very important to Rebuild Australian Shipping however without sound legislative reform such reforms will not produce enduring change.
Enduring change for the Australian maritime industry requires solid legal foundations. The Navigation Act 1912 does not provide the solid legal foundations necessary to Rebuild Australian Shipping.
The Navigation Act 1912 is a relic of the 19th century tailored to the needs of the British Empire. Flags of Convenience did not exist when the Australian Government sent a delegation to London to obtain approval to implement the Navigation Act. The offshore oil and gas industry did not exist when the Navigation Act was legislated. Amendments intended to deal with the changing world have been quite inadequate.
The only solution is a completely new piece of legislation that delivers a comprehensive regulatory regime for Australia’s maritime domain – the Exclusive Economic Zone.
AIMPE will produce more postcards too – and we will ask members to send them in to Government members, independents Greens and Coalition members too because Rebuilding Australian Shipping is a task that deserves the support of all of the Members and Senators of the Australian Parliament.
There is more material on the RED ENSIGN CAMPAIGN page and this will grow as the campaign unfolds. Members are invited and encouraged to use this material to raise debate and discussion everywhere.
Write to your local Federal MP – see the list on the RED ENSIGN CAMPAIGN page.
Write to your local newspaper.
HELP TO REBUILD AUSTRALIAN SHIPPING.
AIMPE has made a submission to the re-write of the Navigation Act, view it here Nav Act submission (616.63 KB)
The latest (2009) Svitzer towage agreement can be viewed by clicking on Industyry Sectors, Towage in the left panel.
AIMPE's new rule "Life Membership" can be viewed by clicking on "News, Reports & Publications - AIMPE Rules" in the left panel.
Rule changes re gender issues and Rules 16 & 22 can also be viewed here.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau [ATSB] has a confidential incident reporting system known as REPCON. For more information click ATSB Reporting System (117.01 KB)
You can go directly to the ATSB reporting site by clicking HERE
Rio Tinto Marine is flogging the Queensland 'permit' system known as Restricted Use Flags or RUFs. This is similar to a Single Voyage Permit (SVP) however the RUFs apply only to intra-state voyages like the Weipa to Gladstone bauxite trade. Under the RUF system foreign flag vessels can carry cargoes between two Queensland ports without Australian crews and without complying with Australian laws and Rio are flogging the RUF system for all it's worth. Click on 'News, Reports & Publications' - 'Rio Tinto and the Qld bauxite trade' in the left column to download letters and information about this issue.
New ruling on refrigeration & air conditioning licences for marine engineers.... RAC Licence changes (12.60 KB)
Links to other web sites...
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