The maritime union has claimed there is not adequate screenings in place to check for coronavirus infections on vessels arriving at Australian ports, including Port Kembla.
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The Maritime Union of Australia has raised concerned that there is a "gaping hole" in Australia's biosecurity as "there has been a failure to implement adequate checks" to ensure people arriving on ships are not infected with the virus.
However, that is claim disputed has been disputed by the federal government.
Wollongong MP Paul Scully has echoed the union's concerns and sought assurances from NSW health minister Brad Hazzard that all vessels and personnel coming into Port Kembla will be screened by biosecurity staff.
The Commonwealth Department of Health has confirmed that all passengers disembarking from planes from China are being given comprehensive information about coronavirus in both English and Mandarin.
NSW Health has confirmed four people in Sydney have tested positive to the virus after returning from China.
The union's national secretary Paddy Crumlin said merchant vessels were required to self-declare any quarantine or biosecurity threats before arrival into Australia.
He said unlike cruise ships, many do not berth at major facilities and are only boarded by biosecurity agents after several other Australian workers have been in contact with the vessel and its crew.
The union warns the accurate diagnosis of a virus like the coronavirus could be left to untrained seafarers, as a merchant vessel is unlikely to have a doctor onboard to make an accurate assessment.
"Australians have a right to know what measures and protocols are being initiated by the Federal Government to properly identify and diagnose potentially infected foreign seafarers, from areas of concern, prior to entry into Australian ports," Mr Crumlin said.
"We need to know who is verifying that this is being done, what notifications are being given to ports prior to the vessels entry when there are suspected infections, what provisions are in place for the proper treatment of infected foreign seafarers, and what maritime and port workers can do to protect themselves against infection."
An agricultural department spokesman said there was the same health check process in place at ports as at airports.
"All international vessels, including planes and boats, entering Australia are required to report information about biosecurity before they arrive," he said.
"Pre-arrival reporting includes specific questions about the health of passengers and crew on board.
"If a vessel master reports that a person on board the vessel is ill, or has shown signs of illness in the past 14 days, a human health inspection is completed before people can disembark.
"The Department of Agriculture is sending the Novel Coronavirus Information for Travellers Arriving in Australia from China to all commercial vessels arriving in Australia so it is top of mind for vessel masters."
The union and Mr Scully are calling on the government to immediately address the deficiencies in the system.
"Ships and workers come to Port Kembla from all parts of the world and as China is a large trading partner, there is a possibility someone could have contracted the virus," he said. "A screening process similar to the one at airports needs to be put in place to manage the risk.
"We need to know what checks and screenings are undertaken at Port Kembla to ensure all necessary steps are taken to prevent the virus' spread to people who live and work at the port."
Mr Scully did not receive a response from Mr Hazzard.