Unions are holding Australia’s ports to ‘ransom’

Victorian Farmers Federation President Emma Germano says union strikes have a disproportionate effect on the economy as shipping to overseas countries are becoming unviable due to perishable goods sitting at the wharf. “We know that when unions strike – it has a disproportionate effect on the economy,” Ms Germano told Sky News host Peta Credlin. “We’re seeing things like shipping to Japan, which is ordinarily 16 days by sea, has blown out to 36 days. “Which makes that market completely unviable for us. “Particularly out of Victoria, one third of the exports are actually perishable agricultural goods, so it is going to have a huge impact on just the Victorian economy alone – essentially holding the country and its ports to ransom.”