[Greens-Media] Pasha Bulker: Govt should release full breakdown of who is paying what

[Alison Orme]

Lee Rhiannon - Media Release - 4 July 2007

Govt should release full Pasha Bulker breakdown of who is paying what

Greens MP and ports and waterways spokesperson Lee Rhiannon is calling
on Ports Minister Joe Tripodi to publicly release a full breakdown of
all the costs of the Pasha Bulker running aground and who will pay for
what aspects of the rescue and salvage operation.

"Fukujin Kisen's assurance that taxpayers won't end up footing the bill
for the salvage operation is no guarantee that the public will not be
lumped with ancillary costs," Ms Rhiannon said. 

"Taxpayers have a right to see a full breakdown of all costs from the
Pasha Bulker debacle and who is responsible for paying for them.

"The Iemma government is fond of claiming that the public will not pay
for bungled private sector projects, with the Cross City Tunnel being a
fine example. The reality can be very different. 

"There are various ancillary costs to the salvage operation which risk
being borne by the public. 

"Ancillary costs include having local government, police, environment
and ports workers dedicated to the task, or on standby, during the 25
day ordeal.

“Owners of ships like the Pasha Bulker, known as ‘flag of
convenience’ vessels, regularly refuse to pay for such costs.  

"A great example of this is the sinking of the two oil tankers  - the
Erika in 1999 and the Prestige in 2002. The owners of these two flag of
convenience vessels refused to pay clean up costs. 

“If the owners of the Pasha Bulker do not pay for the full costs of
this operation – not just the salvage operation but all the associated
frills - all Fukujin Kisen vessels should be banned from NSW ports.

"There have been 27 vessels lost in and around Newcastle during the
past 200 years. 

"Given that Newcastle's coal port is about to expand and one effect of
climate change will be more freak storms, Newcastle could face more
shipwrecks with dire financial consequences in the near future," Ms
Rhiannon said. 

For more information:  Lee Rhiannon - 9230 3551 or 0427 861 568


Alison Orme
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Wed-Fri)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile: 0432 332 104
Email alison.orme at parliament.nsw.gov.au 
Web www.leerhiannon.org.au