An opinion piece first published on Facebook April 2020.
So, cruise ships are getting kicked out because of foreign crew. What about airlines and air crew coming in daily? Cargo ships in our ports? Double standards by the govt?
They certainly know how to bite the hand that contributed $5billion to the Australian economy last year, only weeks ago was being lauded for being the first to get back into bushfire affected communities and contributing to their recovery, and for providing free cruises to thank and acknowledge Australia’s first responders.
My how times have changed. For all that cruising has done and contributed in this region, it seems the whole industry is being crucified by Media and Government largely because of the inaction and ineptitude of NSW Health 2 weeks ago – for something these same authorities regarded as “low risk” at the time.
So, now they pull the rug under the whole industry, and shift the blame to avoid scruitiny on themselves, with the media gleefully coming along for the ride.
I am truly saddened at the outbreak on Ruby Princess. I was working on the ship that day myself. But the hypocrisy is astounding. If NSW Health had’ve done their job properly in the first place, we wouldn’t be here.
Cruise lines have been following their directives all through the last couple of months, increasingly screening passengers, reporting, weeding out high risk guests, denying boardings and placing protections in and around ships, guests, crew and terminal spaces. And since NSW Health failed, the cruise lines and the ships are the easiest and most obvious targets to shift the blame.
And if I sound a little peeved, it’s because I am. Shame on you..
