Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Water) Share this | Hansard source

It is a multiheaded question, I think. I will provide an answer on the basis of advice I have been provided as Minister representing the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts. Australia does have a national plan: Australia’s National Plan to Combat Pollution of the Sea by Oil and Other Noxious and Hazardous Substances. To enable effective responses to marine pollution incidents, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, within Minister Albanese’s portfolio, manages this national plan and works with state and Northern Territory governments in the shipping, oil exploration and chemical industries and with emergency services to respond to marine pollution incidents. I am advised that Maritime Safety Queensland is the lead agency under the plan and has the full backing of the plan’s other participants, including the Australian and state governments and the petroleum industry. Officers of Minister Garrett’s department are in regular contact with AMSA regarding the response to the spill and are providing any assistance as requested.