The rally was organised by maritime student David Winters.

‘‘We’re here to fight for our careers … and the greater good of this nation,’’ Mr Winters said before introducing federal Bass Labor candidate Ross Hart and Labor Senator Anne Urquhart.

‘‘We’re also here to add our voices to the growing chorus which opposes this government’s misguided and short-sighted shipping amendments bill.

‘‘If you and I remain silent and say nothing, I reckon we’ll get what we deserve, which is nothing.’’

Bass Liberal MHR Andrew Nikolic has said that new legislation was ‘‘urgently needed to reform Labors’ damaging coastal shipping laws’’.

‘‘Since Labor introduced its Coastal Trading Act in 2012, the cost of sea freight has increased for some industries by up to 63 per cent, while the number of Australian registered ships with coastal licences has halved to 15, and 200-plus full-time equivalent jobs have been lost from the industry,’’ he said.

But Mr Winters said that if there was discontent with the current industry, ‘‘let’s build the industry we want to be a part of’’.

‘‘Let’s demand something other than short-sighted, self-serving policy from our leaders,’’ Mr Winters said.

His call was greeted     by  thunderous applause.

Mr Hart said that the current government claimed there were unreasonable expenses or costs imposed on Australian industry.

‘‘Let’s just check that a bit,’’ he said.

‘‘Their own statistics show that the likely benefit to industry (of national maritime reform) is in the order of $20-$30 million a year, whereas the road freight subsidy in New South Wales alone is $1.5 billion.

‘‘And $18 million of the maritime saving will come simply from a loss of wages.’’

Mr Hart said that this represented $18 million that was not flowing into the Australian economy.