More than four hundred workers from several unions, most notably from CFMEU construction, took their fight straight to multi-billion dollar miner Rio Tinto for its complicity in sacking Australian seafarers and replacing them with foreign workers paid as little as $2-an-hour.

Yesterday, Federal Shadow Employment Minister Brendan O’Connor joined the Maritime Union of Australia and Unions NT in highlighting the plight of good, skilled, long-term jobs in the Territory.

The sacked seafarers of the MV Portland were today joined by supporters from a range of backgrounds, most notably members of the Australian Worker's Union and the Australian Manufacturing Worker's Union from the Port Kemble steelworks to celebrate Iron Boat Day at the newly erected Jobs Embassy outside of Parliament House.

Up to 100 supporters and Maritime Union of Australia members gathered outside of the Tomago Smelter yesterday at short notice to protest the sacking of the CSL Melbourne crew.

Key stakeholders from the maritime sector gathered in Melbourne today for the second Coastal Trading – Industry Discussion forum.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten was in Darwin with Senator Warren Snowdon and ALP candidate for Solomon Luke Gosling. He was asked the following by a reporter:

This week the Senate voted down (31 - 27) destructive amendments to Shipping Legislation. To find out which Senator voted which way, check out the division list here.

Below is an assortment of Senators who voted against the amendments and an excerpt from each of their speeches. 

This week the Senate voted down (31 - 27) destructive amendments to Shipping Legislation. To find out which Senator voted which way, check out the division list here.

Below is an assortment of Senators who voted against the amendments and an excerpt from each of their speeches.