[Ships arriving at Port of Melbourne. Time lapse vision of unloading of containers]
[On-screen text: The Hon. Melissa Horne, Minister for Ports and Freight]
Seafarers do such a critical job. They are the lifeblood of the Victorian economy because every bit of export goes out through our ports and is handled by seafarers.
Seafarers often spend long stretches of time out at sea. So being able to connect with loved ones, with friends and family is so important for them.
That's why we've got a half a million dollar initiative to be able to get Wi-Fi out onto ships.
[On-screen text: Captain Warwick Norman (AM) Melbourne Seafarers Centre]
This investment will support seafarers welfare by providing free Wi-Fi for seafarers visiting the ports of Portland, Western Port, Melbourne and Geelong.
It's really important just for families to be able to connect with each other and so the free Wi-Fi allows those seafarers to do that without any additional costs.
The seafarers can be at sea from anywhere from 14 days or perhaps six weeks at a time running down to Australia.
The Wi-Fi will allow them connect with their smartphone to be able to make Wi-Fi calls to their family and friends around the place.
Mental health is recognized as a serious issue in the maritime industry and providing specialist mental health capabilities within Victoria I think is a really important step forward in providing that better service to seafarers visiting Victoria.
[On-screen text: Sean Francis Iquinua, Ordinary Seaman]
It makes me feel so relaxed and it makes me feel kind of closer to my family and my friends, but not without feeling far away from home.
[Captain Warwick Norman (AM) Melbourne Seafarers Centre]
Seafarers love it!
Particularly those seafarers who, because of their role on board the ship, are not able to get off the ship whilst visiting the port.
To be able to connect into that Wi-Fi just gives them all those flexibility that they don't get at sea.
[On-screen text: The Hon. Melissa Horne, Minister for Ports and Freight]
Our port network is absolutely critical infrastructure for the state.
To be able to make sure that the people operating in our port systems are healthy, they’re connected and they're happy is absolutely critical to make sure that our economy keeps moving.
And that's why this is a Victorian first we're proud to be investing in it.
[On-screen text: search Support for Seafarers dtp.vic.gov.au]
[On-screen text: Victoria State Government, Department of Transport and Planning]
[On-screen text: Authorised by the Department of Transport and Planning, 1 Spring Street, Melbourne]
[End of transcript]
Updated