Thursday, 10 September 2026

 Tom McINTOSH (Eastern Victoria) (10:03): I want to use my members statement today to mention the fact that workers have been stood down without pay at Quantem fuel on Melbourne’s docks. They have been replaced by workers flown in from overseas. This is the first time Victorian wharf labour has been flown in since the Patrick dispute in 1997. These workers handle dangerous liquids and chemicals. After watching their real wages go backwards for years and taking protected industrial action, the Maritime Union of Australia organised a rally at the docks, which I and many others attended last week. The turnout shows the workers have the backing of their union, and the labour movement is backing them until they get a fair go.