Trade association 'Shipping Australia' says it applauds the Abbott Government’s decision to return the temporary levy on shipping to its original (lower) level. The Government’s budget night announcement that it will return the Protection of the Sea Levy to its original level of 11.25 cents per net registered tonne has been enthusiastically welcomed by the shipping industry. “This decision rights a wrong that was perpetrated when the temporary levy remained in place after achieving its purpose back in 2012,” Shipping Australia chairman Ken Fitzpatrick said. “Shipping Australia has fought long and hard, repeatedly representing this matter to Government on behalf of the shipping industry and it has taken more than two years and a change of Government to see a fair result at last.