UNEMPLOYED seafarers are demanding urgent action from the Federal Government to address the decline of the nation’s shipping industry, including investment in a strategic fleet of Australian flagged and crewed vessels to move essential goods around the coast.

Seafarers who have lost their jobs after Australian vessels were replaced by foreign ships — many registered in notorious tax havens — were joined in their protest on the lawns of Parliament House by fellow maritime workers, trade unionists, and members of parliament.

The rally heard that while 98 percent of Australia’s imports and exports arrive by sea, only 12 Australian flagged and crewed cargo ships still operate. Australia’s fuel security is even more precarious, with not one Australian oil tanker remaining.

Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) national secretary Paddy Crumlin said shipping was an essential industry that was the backbone of the nation’s economy, but the Federal Government was making a choice to allow Australia seafarers to be replaced with exploited foreign workers.

“The Morrison Government hasn’t just stood by and watched the decline of Australian shipping, they have actively approved the replacement of Australian ships with foreign flag vessels crewed by exploited workers paid as little as $2 per hour,” Mr Crumlin said.

“Many of these vessels work exclusively on the Australian coast, moving cargoes between Australian ports, yet the Federal Government issues them temporary licences that allow them to avoid local wages and conditions.

“The crew of the MV Portland saw this policy first hand, finding out from media reports that they were losing their job, with the ship to be replaced by a foreign vessel.

“When they attempted to defend Australian jobs by refusing to take the MV Portland on its final voyage to Singapore, they were dragged from their bunks in the dead of night by security guards and replaced by a foreign crew,” Mr Crumlin said.

“Five years on, the work the MV Portland did bringing alumina to Alcoa’s Portland Aluminium Smelter in Victoria continues to be done by a foreign vessel under temporary licences issued by the Federal Government.

“Since the Coalition Government was elected in 2013, we’ve lost half our remaining fleet of Australian cargo vessels, taking with them the jobs of more than 500 Australian seafarers.

“This campaign isn’t just about getting Australian seafarers back up the gangways of Australian ships, it’s about the importance of a strong shipping industry to the economic success of an island nation.

“The importance of fixing this broken system has been highlighted by COVID, with international shipowners using the crisis to gouge freight rates, seriously impacting Australian businesses,” Mr Crumlin said.

“These same shipowners are responsible for keeping exploited seafarers effectively imprisoned on vessels, with hundreds of thousands unable to return home to their families for more than a year.

“As an island nation, we need to be reliant on ourselves, which means having a strategic fleet that can ensure our fuel security and keep essential goods supplied during a conflict, economic crisis, or pandemic.

“Australia is a great trading nation with a fantastic merchant navy tradition, yet the Morrison Government continues to preside over the demise of Australian shipping for purely ideological reasons.”

www.mua.org.au

ends

TODAY’s news of the addition of chefs to the Priority Skilled Migration Occupation List is a welcomed bright light in an otherwise bleak time for the accommodation sector.  

Peak industry body, the Accommodation Association has been lobbying on this issue for some time with a recent submission outlining the critical skills shortages currently being faced by the tourism accommodation sector. The two areas of critical shortage are housekeeping and chefs. 
 
“Accommodation Association is very pleased to see the much-needed addition of chefs to the Priority Skilled Migration Occupation List,” Accommodation Association CEO Dean Long said.
 
“The accommodation sector has been significantly impacted by COVID-19, losing 50 percent of its workforce at the commencement, with further reductions due to the prolonged nature of the pandemic. As we emerge from the pandemic with international borders closed, the industry is seeking to meet the fluctuations in demand, with employment a direct function of rooms sold.
 
“There is currently a critical shortage of chefs and house keepers. The industry has been extensively advertising to permanent residents for these positions but with little success.

"The recognition of the importance of these roles and the addition of chefs to the Priority Skilled Migration Occupation List is a positive step in addressing the skills shortage and challenges currently facing the sector. We welcome the Federal Government’s support in the sustainable recovery of our industry.”
 
 
About the Accommodation Association
The Accommodation Association represents over 80 percent of all known accommodation providers from small regional parks, caravan parks, serviced apartments and resorts through to the largest hotel groups in the world including Accor, Hilton, Wyndham Destinations and IHG.

ends

THE STATUS of Australian aquaculture and opportunities for its expansion will be discussed at an upcoming public hearing by the House Agriculture and Water Resources Committee.

The Committee will speak to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) this Thursday as part of its inquiry into the Australian aquaculture sector. Witnesses will appear in person.

The FRDC is a national statutory authority responsible for funding and coordinating fisheries and aquaculture research, development, and extension activities in Australia.

Committee Chair, Rick Wilson MP, said, "For over 30 years, the FRDC has provided strategic leadership to the aquaculture sector, helping both government and industry to direct investment. Their work ensures that research priorities are identified and that subsequent findings are accessible to stakeholders.

"The FRDC’s submission to the inquiry was detailed and wide-ranging and the committee looks forward to discussing the many opportunities for growth, as well as solutions to current barriers, within the aquaculture sector," Mr Wilson said.        

For further information, visit the inquiry website.

Public hearing details

Date: Thursday, 24 June 2021
Time: 10.10am to 10.45am AEST

A live audio stream of the hearing will be accessible at: www.aph.gov.au/live

ends

CPA AUSTRALIA’s top tip for small businesses is to ask their tax adviser if they’re eligible for any COVID-related tax incentives and deductions this tax time.

CPA Australia senior manager for tax policy, Elinor Kasapidis said, "Ninety-five percent of small businesses seek professional advice with their taxes. This year it’s even more important to ask the right questions and provide relevant information to help your adviser determine if you’re eligible for any COVID-related tax incentives and deductions.

“Around 98 percent of businesses in Australia are small businesses. Together they employ over 40 percent of the entire Australian workforce. Their importance to our economy cannot be understated.

"Small businesses did it tough over the past 12 months, with many still struggling. Every dollar of tax saved can help them recover and grow. Making sure businesses claim everything they’re entitled to is important.”

The 2020-21 tax year is the first full year of operating in a COVID-environment. There are multiple tax deductions and incentives small businesses owners need to be aware of.

“Small businesses which need to buy assets should take maximum advantage of depreciation incentives introduced as part of COVID-19 economic stimulus. However, the benefit will depend on your circumstances, so ask your tax agent for advice before making major purchases.”

COVID-19 has left many businesses experiencing cash flow difficulties or financial distress. Some small businesses may have a higher than usual number of bad debts on their books this income year.

“Businesses can claim a deduction for bad debts if there is little or no likelihood of the debt being recovered, but proceed with caution. Debts that have been forgiven can’t be claimed.

“The temporary loss carry-back is also available for companies that made a loss this year. This allows businesses to get a refund for previous years’ tax paid instead of carrying the loss forward.

“If your business is in financial difficulty, or you have complex tax matters like debt refinancing and restructuring, it’s critical to get proper tax and accounting advice as early as possible.”

Some small businesses experienced significant fluctuations in their inventory levels and value due to COVID-19.

“Ask your accountant whether a different trading stock valuation method for tax purposes may be more effective,” Ms Kasapidis said.

Many businesses received COVID-19-related government supports or grants during the income year.

“Unless there is a specific exception, government payments designed to assist businesses continue operating, such as JobKeeper, need to be included in assessable income.”

The tax rate for companies with an annual turnover of less than $50 million has been reduced from 27.5 to 26 percent for the 2020-21 income year.

However, companies that earn 80 percent or more of their income from passive investments such as rental income or interest income will continue to pay the full company tax rate of 30 percent.

Many businesses reduced their tax instalments during 2020-21. “If you reduced your instalments and your business did better than expected, be prepared for a tax bill when you lodge your return.”

The ATO is cracking down on incorrect expense deductions and unreported cash transactions in 2020-21 tax returns. “Business owners are increasingly being contacted regarding their income and expense claims.”

“It’s legal to accept payment in cash, but you must keep accurate records of these transactions. The ATO’s data capabilities are vast and growing, and so is their ability to join the dots when it comes to expenses claims and cash transactions.”

There are also rules around the private use of business assets and funds. “If you took money out of your businesses, for example, to pay school fees, you need to account for it as a fringe benefit, salary, dividend, loan or repayment. Each of these has tax implications and getting it wrong can be costly.”

CPA Australia tax tips for small businesses.

ends