War on the Australian Waterfront
April 21, 1998

The Federal Government yesterday sought United States Government help against the Maritime Union of Australia, in a move that highlights growing nervousness about the spread of the dispute overseas. The Foreign Minister, Mr. Alexander Downer, briefed the US ambassador, Mrs. Genta Hawkins Holmes, on concerns about boycotts of Australian products. 

Mr. Downer sought the Clinton administration's support in stopping US dock workers from backing Australian wharfies by refusing to unload cargo loaded by non-union employees.

"It's not for wharfies in America to resolve or even try to resolve issues of industrial confrontation here within Australia. That's for Australians to do," Mr. Downer said. The briefing came as the Prime Minister, Mr. John Howard, accused the union movement of "virtually applauding" what he called "some kind of international search-and-destroy mission conducted against Australia's farmers".

"It makes me feel literally sick to think that people, any Australian, would be contemplating giving support of any kind to some kind of international boycott of Australian farm produce," Mr. Howard said.

The Opposition Leader, Mr. Kim Beazley, said he did not support international boycotts, but "these sort of things are going to arise" while Mr Howard continued on his present course. 

Government sources said it was doubtful the US Government could exert significant pressure on the American dock workers. Organized labor in the US is less powerful and centralised than in Australia.

In New South Wales, frustrated farmers prevented the Premier, Mr Bob Carr, from leaving the Walgett airport in the north-west of the state for more than an hour.

The NSW Farmers' Association president, Mr. Ian Donges, and the Premier were reportedly involved in heated discussions inside the airport terminal. The Premier was released only after police threatened to charge the farmers. Mr. Carr said later he had agreed to broker a meeting between the farmers, MUA and ACTU as a result of the confrontation at Walgett.

In New Zealand, the main union bodies said yesterday they would back strike action in support of Australia's sacked wharfies if union members wanted it.