Mr VATSKALIS - 2014-02-18
Darwin Port Corporation employees were told there was a review of their jobs. Six days later, seven staff were told their jobs were cut. The mechanics and electricians have been sacked, including workers with more than 30 years commitment to the port and its operations. Some workers are trying to be redeployed in government jobs - one within a position available at the port and another into a mechanic position at MVR - but have been treated with contempt. Why will the government not treat these workers fairly and make every effort to redeploy qualified employees?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for the question. This is one of the most important and relevant questions they have asked in the last four days of sittings.
What has occurred at East Arm Wharf is the container crane, purchased second-hand by a previous Territory government, has been damaged which has made it beyond economic repair. There is a range of employees at the port whose role it was to service and maintain this container crane. There has been a decision made, based on the cost of replacing a container crane, that the container crane will not be replaced at this point in time. However, there are investigations being undertaken about when and how this can be done …
Ms Lawrie: They service and maintain all infrastructure, not just the crane.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr GILES: Do you want an answer to a serious question?
It is anticipated it will probably take about 18 months to get a new container crane. If one was put in now, the container crane would probably operate at about 10% utilisation rate. To get proper utilisation, you really need to be around 65% utilisation. We have two what you would call mobile container cranes operated by the two companies there. They are operating at a very poor level for moving containers, about eight containers an hour, which is because of the base from which they operate.
Those employees who were doing the repairs and maintenance on the current container crane - the one no longer being utilised - have been advised their roles are no longer required at the port. It is quite unfortunate because they were doing the job there, but the container crane at the port stopped working and, as you would know, shadow minister, there was an incident where the container crane could have caused damage by an incident occurring. It did not cause the damage which could have occurred, but we have now made a decision it is no longer repairable and those employees who were doing the repairs and maintenance on the container crane are no longer required to.
In around 18 months when we can get a new container crane, if that was to occur, we will have to re-employ people to provide the service and maintenance.
Mr ELFERINK (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for the question. This is one of the most important and relevant questions they have asked in the last four days of sittings.
What has occurred at East Arm Wharf is the container crane, purchased second-hand by a previous Territory government, has been damaged which has made it beyond economic repair. There is a range of employees at the port whose role it was to service and maintain this container crane. There has been a decision made, based on the cost of replacing a container crane, that the container crane will not be replaced at this point in time. However, there are investigations being undertaken about when and how this can be done …
Ms Lawrie: They service and maintain all infrastructure, not just the crane.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr GILES: Do you want an answer to a serious question?
It is anticipated it will probably take about 18 months to get a new container crane. If one was put in now, the container crane would probably operate at about 10% utilisation rate. To get proper utilisation, you really need to be around 65% utilisation. We have two what you would call mobile container cranes operated by the two companies there. They are operating at a very poor level for moving containers, about eight containers an hour, which is because of the base from which they operate.
Those employees who were doing the repairs and maintenance on the current container crane - the one no longer being utilised - have been advised their roles are no longer required at the port. It is quite unfortunate because they were doing the job there, but the container crane at the port stopped working and, as you would know, shadow minister, there was an incident where the container crane could have caused damage by an incident occurring. It did not cause the damage which could have occurred, but we have now made a decision it is no longer repairable and those employees who were doing the repairs and maintenance on the container crane are no longer required to.
In around 18 months when we can get a new container crane, if that was to occur, we will have to re-employ people to provide the service and maintenance.
Mr ELFERINK (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016