“While we are well positioned to cater for the impending LNG boom, there is still much to be done to ensure the country embraces this new era of energy to the fullest potential,” Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) assistant national secretary, Rick Newlyn told the 2007 AustralAsian Oil and Gas conference today.

Newlyn said the key issues included:

• The possible move to free on board (FOB) shipping terms, which said would significantly reduce Australian involvement in transporting LNG, thus raising safety and security concerns;

• A comprehensive, whole-of-industry solution to the sector’s current labour shortage; and

• Working within the new industrial relations environment, including how to address productivity, dealing with change and harnessing technology.

“Australia is on the verge of a massive expansion of the LNG industry and hydrocarbons sector generally,” Newlyn said.

“The MUA is an eager participant in that process, and we will be stepping up dialogue and engagement to underpin our commitment to supply continuity as part of our trade and energy security obligations on the national interest.”

Newlyn said the MUA’s “overarching priority” was the election of a Federal Labor Government.

“The key objective is to ensure that labour relations, skill development, safety and security are given a high priority at all stages of projects from planning, through exploration, construction, production and transportation,” he said.

In addition, he said the MUA was working to stabilise labour supply by promoting a regional perspective on employment. He said this aimed to ensure the labour force in neighbouring countries such as East Timor and PNG could participate in projects.