Libya

[Capt Bill Davies]

What does Syria have to off er the West, any oil there? No gold or rare minerals I cannot see the west taking too much interest.

That's exactly my point John.

[happy daze john in oz]

So true John and I am thinking that this time they are really deep in the do do's as they have started to many conflicts that another one just might see an end to their world dominance. I have this feeling that the Israel is going to be their undoing as they have been pandering to that place for so long that they are locked into it. How about this for a frightening thoght for you? Julia and Tony get together and produce a love child as they carry on like a couple of lovers having hissy fits do they not. Why the bloody hell do they not hand the leadership back to Malcom he would win the election hands down with many Labour voters going for him as well.

Les the next election here could be as soon as next May. But if it goes the full two years I think yoy may well see Turnbull taking over. But there are more plots going on. The Greens and Labor want an enquiry to the newspaper industry, they do not like the Murdoch press. But as I have always said, 'freedom of speech' is a corner stone of our democracy. Unless you want some form of censorship the the press must remain free.

[Michael Lawrence]

Les. Good luck to Oz and their minister's edict in allowing them greater priveleges, BUT, let's hope they employ Australian seaman!!

[Red Lead Ted]

How many Australian seaman do you think there are. That's down to the seamans union as Les says to ensure. Take any Merchant fleet ours included. How many British Merchant Seaman are there? Today there are 645 ships in the British merchant fleet with a G.T. Of 1,000 Tons or more with only 254 of them registered in uk ports source Bureau of Transportation Statistics . The largest fleet in the E.U. is not surprisingly the Greek Merchant fleet of 3,099 ships of 1,000 tones or more.{ the biggest fleet registered in the E.U. yet they have no dosh to throw in the kitty nothing changes it was the same in our day flags of convenience} Australia comes in at number 63 on there list with 54 ships G.T. Over 1,000 tones with 26 registered in oz. The UK is number 16 on there list. Top of the tree at number one is not surprisingly Japan 3757 ships over 1,000 G.T. Surprisingly only 683 of them under registration in Japan. I wish AUSTRALIA nothing but success in there venture good on them .Regards all Terry.

[Les Woodard]

I am sure that they will be able to crew the ships but might have to accept crews from elsewhere probably the UK and Europe for start with as well as Asians. John if they happen to see sense and choose Turnbal for leader they will only have to wait for an election to romp in as they will probably win with the mad monk but can not see them reataining office for long under his leadership as all he know is how to be negative and flip flops all around the place. Agree we need freedom of press but unfortunatly that does not happen with just a few monopolising the media along with political interference. Look how the Libs srewed with the ABC. Saw a freelance reporter on the box the other day explaininng that he has to toe the line if he wants to remain in work so can not see how we can claim freedom of speech under those guidlines. Just take this topic over doing away with tax to resurrect the MN all there has been is a small snippet on page 10 or thereabouts but the main story's lately have been crap ones. Sometimes the papers are in reverse order with sport being the headers and the news starting around page 5.

[happy daze john in oz]

I am sure that they will be able to crew the ships but might have to accept crews from elsewhere probably the UK and Europe for start with as well as Asians. John if they happen to see sense and choose Turnbal for leader they will only have to wait for an election to romp in as they will probably win with the mad monk but can not see them retaining office for long under his leadership as all he know is how to be negative and flip flops all around the place. Agree we need freedom of press but unfortunately that does not happen with just a few monopolizing the media along with political interference. Look how the Libs screwed with the ABC. Saw a freelance reporter on the box the other day explaining that he has to toe the line if he wants to remain in work so can not see how we can claim freedom of speech under those guidelines. Just take this topic over doing away with tax to resurrect the MN all there has been is a small snippet on page 10 or thereabouts but the main story's lately have been crap ones. Sometimes the papers are in reverse order with sport being the headers and the news starting around page 5.

Les mate Chanel 9 is the classic at that. Any form of sports story will make top billing over any sensible story, not that there are too many of them around, but as to taking Australian seamen on ships. I go to the Melbourne mission fairly regularly and have only ever seen Asian, Chinese or similar seamen in there. Maybe the locals are all in WA or somewhere else?

[Les Woodard]

John this site might clear it all up for you concerning what Labour is doing for the MN of Oz. This is the sort of thing I am on about how they try to play down any good news that could also have a flow on to create jobs again in the shippbuilding trade. I think we have been conditioned to be negative by the mad monk.

Speech to the Maritime Industry - Stronger Shipping for a Stronger Australia

[Ivan Cloherty]

John this site might clear it all up for you concerning what Labour is doing for the MN of Oz. This is the sort of thing I am on about how they try to play down any good news that could also have a flow on to create jobs again in the shippbuilding trade. I think we have been conditioned to be negative by the mad monk.

Speech to the Maritime Industry - Stronger Shipping for a Stronger Australia

Les

Read the Article and it is full of good intentions and I hope it works out, only really one point I see as a bone of contention if they want to attract Oz seamen/ nationals to the flag, easily resolved is that the "No income tax" rules applies only to foreign voyages of over 90 days, as your main trade these days is to China, Japan and other Oriental destinations with ore, coal and wheat the average voyage time will be around 60 days so the seamen on those ships will not benefit from the tax relief (if I've interpreted it correctly), so perhaps a letter from the MN men residing in Australia to the relevant minister pointing out this anomaly may show the Govt that at least someone has read their proposals.

I would say the average man in the street, including news reporters, in Oz (as well as UK) would not realise the importance of this article for their own well being that's why its not making the front pages. I hope it all comes to fruition as long as they don't follow the American model to absurdiity in protectionism. I wish it well

Ivan

[Les Woodard]

Ivan you could have a point but I thought it was 90 days within one finacial year so it would mean that they are all counted within that year but at least it is a start mate.

[happy daze john in oz]

John this site might clear it all up for you concerning what Labour is doing for the MN of Oz. This is the sort of thing I am on about how they try to play down any good news that could also have a flow on to create jobs again in the shippbuilding trade. I think we have been conditioned to be negative by the mad monk.

Speech to the Maritime Industry - Stronger Shipping for a Stronger Australia

Les, I agree with all in the document, cannot see even Abbot going aginst this one. But why has it been kept so quiet? Any project that will keep the MN alive in any form has to be good for the country and the workers. I fear however the main problem will be the cost of labour, so many Asian nad other countries undercut the rates of pay.