Workers ban exports to PNG

Wednesday, January 19, 1994 - 11:00

By Frank Enright

Port Kembla grain terminal workers voted unanimously on January 13 to ban exports to Papua New Guinea. The ban will prevent a scheduled shipment of grain from leaving Port Kembla on January 28.

Announcing the ban, South Coast Labour Council secretary Paul Matters said the action was in protest at continuing atrocities being committed by the Papua New Guinea Defence Force against the people of Bougainville, with the support of the Australian government.

"The South Coast Labour Council has made repeated attempts to convene meetings with Australian foreign minister Gareth Evans and representatives of the Bougainville interim government. The foreign minister's office has refused to reply to these attempts.

"The Australian government supply of Iroquois helicopters is a critical part of the Papua New Guinea war against the people of Bougainville."

The SCLC reasserts its decision regarding the bans, said Matters, citing the continuing PNG blockade of humanitarian and essential supplies to the people of Bougainville.

From GLW issue 127