The Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report into the use of Flags of Convenience was initially due on the sitting day of Parliament in 2016. The report deadline has now been extended to June 22 2016.

The Committee is charged with reviewing the increasing use of so-called Flag of Convenience shipping in Australia, with particular reference to:

• a)       the effect on Australia‘s national security, fuel security, minimum employment law standards and our marine environment;
• b)      the general standard of Flag of Convenience vessels trading to, from and around Australian ports, and methods of inspection of these vessels to ensure that they are seaworthy and meet required standards;
• c)       the employment and possible exposure to exploitation and corruption of international seafarers on Flag of Convenience ships;
• d)      discrepancies between legal remedies available to international seafarers in state and territory jurisdictions, opportunities for harmonisation, and the quality of shore-based welfare for seafarers working in Australian waters;
• e)      progress made in this area since the 1992 House of Representatives Standing Committee on Transport, Communications and Infrastructure report Ships of shame: inquiry into ship safety; and
• f)        any related matters

The Committee has received 25 submissions from interested parties including Australian and New Zealand Maritime and Trade Unions, Government agencies, Private individuals and Industry Associations.

Issues such as the use of foreign workers, tax avoidance and foreign ships being able to retain their foreign registry even if they continuously operate entirely within Australia’s claimed EEZ have been reported. There are also favourable reports suggesting that the current use of Flags of Convenience is an asset to Australia. AMSA has also been cited as being competent and diligent in its Flag inspections and ensuring that ships are both seaworthy and meet all required standards and IMO Conventions.

Reading through the submissions it appears that opinion is divided pretty much equally into those who favour the scheme and those who are vehemently against it.

The report into the use of Flags of Convenience was initially due on the first sitting day of Parliament in 2016. The report deadline has now been extended to June 22 2016.

Although submissions have now closed you can download copies of each submission from the following link. http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Rural_and_Regional_Affairs_and_Transport/Shipping/Submissions