January 24, 2010

Mari­time Uni­on of New Zea­l­and Gen­er­al Sec­ret­ary Joe Fleet­wood says recent state­ments from Min­is­ter of Trans­port Steph­en Joyce and retir­ing Paci­fica Ship­ping Chief Exec­ut­ive Rod Grout on New Zea­l­and ports and ship­ping show the need for imme­di­ate action in the mari­time industry.

Mr Fleet­wood says it is incor­rect for the Nation­al Gov­ern­ment to say they want mar­ket forces decide the future of the mari­time industry, when massive tax­pay­er invest­ment was dir­ec­ted at roads and rail.

He says that a “hands off” approach to the mari­time industry means major mar­ket play­ers would dom­in­ate the mar­ket and make decisions that could harm New Zeal­and’s trans­port infra­struc­ture.