Global union chief: ‘Ebola is the only thing to come out of Liberia’

The President of the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) Paddy Crumlin has made disparaging comments about Liberia in an expletive-laden speech at a conference of the Australian Labor Party.

Speaking in his capacity as Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) national secretary, he said: “30% of the ships carrying [Australian] cargo, come from Liberia. Would anyone at The Australian go to Liberia for their honeymoon? Would you go there for your birthday? The only thing I know about Liberia, other than they will be sailing and moving our cargoes, is ebola. That’s the only other thing that comes out of the joint.”

He added: “WTF?! What is going on here? We need an Australian shipping industry. Is there something wrong with us? All the opinion pieces by people who are masquerading as journalists at The Australian, what the f**k?! What is going on here?! Who’s getting it right? Labour’s getting it right!”