Call for picketers at Freo to stay within the law

20/4/98

Deputy Premier and National Party Leader Hendy Cowan today called on picketers at the Fremantle waterfront to recognise the need to stay within the law.

"We have a volatile and sometimes violent situation which is simply unacceptable," Mr Cowan said.

"People must realise that sooner or later somebody is going to be seriously injured if the law is not upheld.

"There is a police presence at the picket line to protect everybody, and that includes people who might want to leave or enter the Patrick's terminal to go about their lawful business," he said.

Mr Cowan said violence and threats had to end and any protests should be made within the law.

"We have had an assault on a bus driver entering the Patrick's terminal last week and overnight there was extensive damage to a Telstra van because it was involved in security work associated with the dispute," he said.

"A building occupied by the Pastoralists and Graziers group had its doorlocks disabled, illustrating the venom which has crept into the situation.

"Patrick's took a decision to end the employment of its workers but it must be recognised that adequate funds through the Federal Government levy on industry are available to cover redundancies.

"Protesters have taken a decision to punish the wider community in the mistaken belief that this single commercial issue is an assault on unionism as a whole."

Mr Cowan said the plight of people waiting for critical goods now sitting at the Patrick's terminal should be recognised. The right of people to collect those goods should also be upheld.

"Western Australia is an export-oriented State and any uncertainty caused by disruption on the waterfront is not good for the State," Mr Cowan added.

Media contact: Peter Jackson 9222-9595