Ausmarine editorial – May 2008
I was saddened to learn, just before going to press that former Senator John Button had died far too young.
John was one of a group of ministers in the Hawke/Keating governments who took a strong and genuine interest in matters maritime. Along with Peter Morris and John Kerin, John Button was a refreshing change from their prior and subsequent Liberal/National counterparts who seemed to regard the maritime sector with considerable distaste.
His particular interest was in manufacturing. As Industry Minister he contributed strongly to building a critical mass for Australia's aluminium shipbuilding industry. He was always willing, positive and very helpful. At the same time he was amazingly witty and kept the whole industry amused.
John, like all of us, had his weaknesses and failings. One of the most notable within this industry was his post-retirement involvement as a director of Oceanfast. As is well known, that badly managed company failed dramatically. If nothing else, that proved yet again that retired ministers should never become directors of companies they do not control.
That indiscretion, however, was far outweighed by the very significant contribution he made. The Australian aluminium ship design and building sectors have much to be grateful to him for.
New offshore patrol boat
With new orders likely in the not too distant future, it is to be hoped that the Australian government has had a good enough experience with its Austal-built Customs and Naval patrol boats to look domestically for its next round of purchases.
Customs are, I believe, preparing to seek proposals for the supply of a fleet of larger patrol boats. Probably not long after that we will see work commence on a programme to replace the now ageing Pacific Patrol Boats.
For those making the decisions, I suggest you look closely at the review of the 'Seacor Cheetah' on page 26 of this issue. That Australian designed (by Incat Crowther) boat or a variant of it, would have a lot to offer in the current OPV context. Think carefully and laterally about it. There are a number of Australian shipyards that could comfortably build such craft at internationally competitive prices.
Coalition fails to "get it" on freight
Having received a number of press releases recently from Warren Truss, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and whatever, it's not hard to see why the Coalition is having such a bad run.
Apparently written for him by the truck lobby, the releases show why the Coalition lost last November. It was simply totally out of touch.
To be working assiduously as an advocate for the trucking industry when there are at least two better alternatives is simply dimwitted. The maritime sector would be wasting its time talking to such an ignoramus.
Fortunately, there seem to be a number of ministers in the new Government, such as Lindsay Tanner, who are far more in touch with current reality. We may even be blessed with a new generation of Kerins, Morris's or Buttons (see above) who are not afflicted with the Coalition's "Sea Blindness".
