As it's more than 100 days now, it has been suggested that a new thread was needed. The current govt has been breaking promises and telling lies at a rate so fast it's hard to keep up.
This below is worrying, "independent" pffft, as if your own doctor is somehow what? biased, it's ridiculous. So far there is talk of only including people under a certain age 30-35, for now. Remember that if your injured in a car, injured at work or get ill, you too might need to go on the DSP. They have done a similar think in the UK with devastating consequences.
and this is the 2nd time recently where the Govt has referred to work as welfare???? So when you go to work tomorrow (or tuesday), just remember that's welfare.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-20/disability-pensioners-may-be-reassessed-kevin-andrews/5400598
Independent doctors could be called in to reassess disability pensioners, Federal Government says
The Federal Government is considering using independent doctors to examine disability pensioners and assess whether they should continue to receive payments.
Currently family doctors provide reports supporting claims for the Disability Support Pension (DSP).
But Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews is considering a measure that would see independent doctors reassess eligibility.
"We are concerned that where people can work, the best form of welfare is work," Mr Andrews said at a press conference.
OMG interesting interview on the 7.30 report tonight... certainly has people talking 
WRONG MM12
a vessel carrying the public MUST have a qualified engineer on board
That is nonsense, there is far more involved. However I have never indicated otherwise. I would direct you to the various grade of Certificates of Competency for maritime crews apropos vessels of different length and propulsive power.
Actually I'll put it another way, if you go out fishing on the bay in a small craft, you do not need an engineer, if you take out a 40 metre ship with 150 people on board, you need to have an engineer
Now that is at least correct
As for the political story I would think that you have still not read the proposed legislation, or appreciate your mentioned Port Phillip Bay day charters are not Coastal Shipping, currently covered by the ALP 2012 act which has seen the slow deterioration of our coastal shipping to the point that it is cheaper to move cargo from Singapore to Brisbane than Melbourne to Brisbane.
As to the suggestion that Bilby was told to sign up a foreign crew he also would appear to be unaware of the proposed amendments.
Truss
“It is also important to note that, if the advice was given, it would in fact be inaccurate, because it is not possible under the proposed legislation before the parliament for an Australian cruise ship to have foreign crew and operate on the Australian coast for 12 months of the year.”
The 183 day rule
"No, I give up... The discussion was about a cruise operator being told by govt officials to re-register his boat overseas and hire foreign workers, that is what it was always about... I am not the one debating anything here. True!
Actually the topic was introduced thus:
"......................Two federal bureaucrats conceded on Monday night that they did discuss the "option" of cruise operator Bill Milby sacking his all-Australian crew and taking on a foreign workforce to survive in business under impending changes to national shipping laws."
And with politics and a lack of research was reduced to this: "I see the cruise operater is still waiting for an apology after being called a liar"
Really? Actually the correct comment from Bilby was:
"I'd like an apology from the prime minister and the deputy prime minister because they inferred I wasn't telling the truth. "
Bill Milby
I suggest a study of the proposed amendments to the current 2012 Act in conjunction with the effect upon costal shipping to-date of the 2012 Act.
As for the political story I would think that you have still not read the proposed legislation, or appreciate your mentioned Port Phillip Bay day charters are not Coastal Shipping.
Hastings is not even on Port Philip Bay 
Mr Milby said: But I don’t like being told I’m lying and I took offence at that ... I take very strong offence at that.
also
Both the prime minister and deputy prime minister have suggested Mr Milby was mistaken.
"I take offence at that," he responded.
"I do not tell lies."
"For goodness sake, I've been saying all along that cruise operators do not operate for 183 days of the year "
I suggest you read the proposed legislation, then comment.
Excerpt:
"............ a foreign vessel can spend up to 182 days a year on the Australian coast before incurring increased costs of pay parity.
Ship repair industry Limited coastal trips for maintenance will be unrestricted. Time spent undergoing maintenance including repairs, cleaning or painting and not engaged on a voyage will count as time engaged in coastal shipping; and when a permit is in place, will be covered by that permit. "
Nothing to do with just operating for 183 days of the year , the time limit covers just being here, even the 183 days can be used up by maintenance, repairs, cleaning, painting, and not even being engaged on a voyage.
