Page 8 - MUAQLD-BN8-08062021_Neat

P&O said it remains optimistic that a pathway can be
established to support the resumption of domestic
cruising later this year.
“While these discussions continue with government
agencies, we are not going to speculate on the details that
the pathway to resumption might take,” the line said.
P&O continues to support Cruise Lines International
Association as it works with government authorities to
develop protocols and policies to enable the resumption
of cruising beginning with domestic itineraries.

Relief Official’s Report
MUA Queensland Branch Report on Campaign for
Industrial Justice for the Maritime Workers of the Torres
Straits by Michael O’Shane
This report is tabled for the purpose of accountability,
Cruise Passenger revealed last week that Australian transparency and collectivism.
Border Force and Home Affairs are insisting that Brief history of the Torres Strait
Australian workers be employed. APT recently moved the The Torres Strait is made of 243 Islands that are situated
Caledonian Sky into Cairns ready for its first cruises in the between the tip of Cape York Peninsula and the mainland
Kimberley after employing 30 Australian workers. of Papua New Guinea.
The rule state: “We will only consider exemptions for Archaeologists working in the Torres Strait have found
crew required to safely operate the vessel. Entry of the evidence of human settlement dating back 2500 years.
vessel should also provide economic benefit to Australia. There is no reason to think that much earlier evidence
Other roles, such as service or hospitality roles, should be could be found in the future.
filled by workers in Australia.” A Captain Torres sailing through here in 1606 named this
The new P&O move means seven cruises are affected by region the Torres Strait after himself as the first step in
the change to Australian itineraries: four from Brisbane trying to impose a foreign entity on this distant place in a
and three from Sydney. Instead of calling at international foreign land, the first step in the process of colonization.
ports, the seven cruises will only cruise domestically. This region made up of islands and waterways was home
“In view of the constantly changing landscape due to the to many First Nation Peoples who lived life in a normative
pandemic, P&O Cruises Australia has decided that its society and had done so for thousands of years. Captain
remaining cruises in 2021 that have an international Torres had no free, prior or informed consent to name
component will be replaced with domestic port content,” any region on his travels in his name but following the
confirmed a P&O spokesperson. travels of Christopher Columbus in 1492 which is marked
All passengers affected by this change have been notified down in history as the dawning of colonisation, these
directly by the line. Passengers who are booked on these early explorers were on a mission to mark out these
international voyages can remain booked on the same distant lands as part of the colonial empire for their
departure dates with new local itineraries or they can Mother-Land.
receive a full refund. First Nation Peoples have of recent times, in opposition
P&O Australia, which has suspending all sailings until 17 to colonial intrusion, renamed this region to reflect the
September this year, says that it will switch from language, culture and traditions of the First Nation
international itineraries to domestic cruises from 18 People; at the same time giving the recognition and
September to 31 December this year. respect it deserves to these same people who have lived
On its website, the line said: “As we continue to take here, surviving and flourishing in this region. The name for
guidance from international and local government this region is Zenadth Kes. This process of giving a First
authorities, public health experts and the broader Nations People’s name to the islands and waterways was
community, we have implemented a temporary pause in and is important in identifying First Nations People’s
operations for all departures on and before 17 September belonging to their lands and seas, to which they have lived
2021. a continuum of the environment that has resourced their
“We are also cancelling a selection of additional cruises culture, lores, health and wellbeing for millennia.
between 18 September and 31 December 2021.” Zenadth Kes
Kes means passage. Zenadth is an acronym.

Authorised by Jason Miners, Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) Acting Queensland Branch Secretary
73 Southgate Avenue, Cannon Hill QLD 4170