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F AN OPINION ON THE W BY R LEA CLOUGH ith the editor of Professional Skipper, Keith Ingram, this writer attended the Auckland public hearing of the Ministerial Inquiry into Foreign Charter Vessels on October 26. Chaired by former Cabinet Minister Paul Swain (1999-2005), the three-person panel included Sarah McGrath, a director of the accounting firm KPMG and Neil Walter, Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade (1999-2002) and a former Ambassador to Japan and to Indonesia. The hearing was organised (in the loosest sense of the word) by MAF/MFish. On our arrival 15 minutes before the notified start time, we found that Sealord were already delivering their verbal presentation. Much of it was incomprehensible as the sound system was so poor. At my request, it was tweaked and presenters were urged to speak up. I asked for a schedule of speakers. Several copies were run off and handed to me alone, so I got up and handed them out to the other hearing attenders. Lunch break was 1200 to 1245. It was provided for the panel and staff. On my asking about provision for us, we lesser mortals were told that we had the option of fending for ourselves in the slow hotel restaurant or going to the cafe along the street. In the presentations on the issue of FCVs, Sealord, predictably, pressed for the status quo, denying that there was a "two timesheets" issue, saying the they would look into it, but stating that their systems were "robust". They were supported by two stakeholder entities, Northern Deepwater Ltd and Ngapuhi Asset Holding Co. Among other assertions, these latter bodies held that there were no problems, their systems were robust and could prevent abuses, and their concern for their own good names would prevent them from being involved in anything untoward. One rather unwisely drew a parallel between FCVs and the use of foreign fruit pickers, overlooking the fact that the latter are entirely subject to New Zealand regulations, taxation and oversight. On the issue that fishing assets should be providing jobs for Maori instead of being simply ACE'd (leased) out, they claimed TOTAL MARINE: • Wharves • Jetty and Marina Construction and Repair • Marine Towing • Pile Driving and Drilling • Salvage • Barge and Tug Hire TOTAL FLOATS: Design, Supply and Installation of all Floating Structures: Marinas – Commercial and Private Wharf Pontoons Phone 09 379 9752 • Fax 09 379 9751 www.totalmarineservices.co.nz 28 Professional Skipper January/February 2012 that proceeds from ACE sales made possible several business ventures in Kaitaia. As we were not allowed to question other presenters, the obvious rejoinder that those businesses should be able to stand on their own without subsidy from fishing assets could not be made. The other stated that 100 percent observer coverage would not be useful. To whom? They could not afford the capital cost of buying their own fishing vessel or vessels. That argument ignored the alternatives of a New Zealand charter, or even a deal involving the tying of ACE to employment for their people. They were, in short, defending the indefensible. I would like to hear them try something equally challenging – perhaps they could write something on, "Adolf Hitler, the Great Humanitarian", "Pakistan, a Haven of Religious Tolerance" or "The Health Benefits of Tobacco". The hearing scheduled 30 minutes for each person/group. They were expected to speak for about 10 minutes (the panel would administer a verbal prod to those who ran too far over time), 15 minutes were allocated for the panel to ask questions, and there was a five-minute buffer. It kept to time fairly well. The panel members asked some hard questions, pricking the more obviously fallacious points made by some presenters (some rather long bows were drawn), although they missed a few, such as the Kaitaia business matter. The bulk of the presenters were on what could be described as the "Reform" side of the debate. The Fishing Industry Guild's Sean McCann spoke in favour of "New Zealandisation" (Does anyone remember that? It was a great idea, shafted on the altar of corporate greed). He conceded that there may be a case for the retention of FCVs in the squid fishery. Larry Robbins, supported by Terry Nobbs, from the Auckland International Seafarers' Centre, spoke on his concerns about onboard conditions in FCVs, as disclosed to them by crew members, including bullying, starvation, overwork and no pay. He made the point that these cases were the tip of the iceberg. The NZCTU – Te Runanga o Nga Kaimahi Maori o Aotearoa and NZ Service and Foodworkers Union made joint CV INQUIRY HEARING VIP.S71 VIP.S69