Richard Marles (Corio, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

I am pleased to present the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety (Transitional Provisions) Bill 2023.

In May, I introduced the Defence Legislation Amendment (Naval Nuclear Propulsion) Bill 2023.

This clarified that the moratorium on civil nuclear power—as reflected in the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999—does not limit the performance of regulatory functions that might be necessary in respect of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines and their supporting infrastructure and facilities.

Those amendments, which have now been enacted, mean the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) can perform their functions in support of the nuclear-powered submarine enterprise.

These functions would include the issue of licences, where applicable safety criteria are met.

In the event that licences are issued by the CEO of ARPANSA under the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 in relation to regulated activities, this bill would enable those licences to be treated as licences for corresponding activities on commencement of the regulatory regime established by the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Bill, I have just introduced.

It is our intention that these bills be considered together, given their linkages.

I commend the bill to the House.

Debate adjourned.