Govt to blame for Ansett crash

Date: 14 September 2001

The Maritime Union has pledged its support to the estimated 60,000 workers-- casualties of the crash of Ansett Airlines.

National Secretary Paddy Crumlin laid the blame squarely on the shoulders of the Federal Government transport policy comparing today's grounding of the airline to the Government's sinking of the Australian shipping industry.

"Not content with their destructive competition policies against Australian shipping, Transport Minister John Anderson and the Howard Government are now intent on the destruction of the Australian aviation industry," said Mr Crumlin. "The world crisis triggered by terrorism in the US only illustrates the important national and strategic importance of key transport modes like aviation and shipping. Deregulation of the US aviation industry greatly exacerbated the human tragedy there this week. Yet we have a Government here in Australia determined to sell off or destroy our national transport infrastructure.

"On one hand they cynically promote racism against impoverished refugees in life threatening situations 'in the national interest' and on the other hand they are active in selling off or smashing our essential transport industries to foreign competition against the national interest," said Mr Crumlin. "It's time for John Anderson to start promoting aviation by getting squarely behind the rebuilding of Ansett or turning it up like most of his mates and going back to his farm. Australia can not survive much more of the inept and destructive policies of this Government."

As an executive board member of the International Transport Workers' Federation, Mr Crumlin has also called on the ITF London office to mobilise support for Ansett workers from international affiliates.

CONTACT: MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin 9267 9134 or mobile 0418 379 660

For further information

Contact:	Zoe Reynolds
Union:	Maritime Union of Australia
Phone:	0417 229873
WWW:	http://mua.tcp.net.au/

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