Chris Ellison (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Justice and Customs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I give notice that, on the next day of sitting, I shall move:

That the provisions of paragraphs (5) to (8) of standing order 111 not apply to the Maritime Legislation Amendment (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Bill 2006, allowing it to be considered during this period of sittings.

I also table a statement of reasons justifying the need for this bill to be considered during these sittings and seek leave to have the statement incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The statement read as follows—

Purpose of the bill

The bill amends the Navigation Act 1912 and the Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983 to incorporate the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO’s) revised versions of Annex I (prevention from pollution by oil) and Annex II (prevention of pollution by noxious liquid substances) to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).

Reasons for Urgency

The IMO’s revised Annex I and revised Annex II of MARPOL comes into effect internationally on 1 January 2007. Implementing legislation for both Annexes are included in the bill for introduction and passage in the 2006 Spring sittings.

There is a risk if implementing legislation does not commence on 1 January 2007 that any prosecution action taken after that date by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority as a result of pollution of the territorial sea and exclusive economic zone by oil and/or chemicals using current legislation may not be enforceable due to the inconsistency between domestic legislation and the new international regulations. Any incident involving oil and/or chemical pollution of the marine environment has a high likelihood of raising adverse media and community reaction so it is in the government’s interest to avoid or reduce the risk of ineffective legislation.

(Circulated by authority of the Minister for Transport and Regional Services)

Senator Nettle to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Senate—

(a)

notes that:

(i)

the security treaty, Framework Agreement for Security Cooperation, between Australia and Indonesia has been agreed to by the two governments,

(ii)

a recent poll found 77 per cent of Australians supported self-determination for West Papua,

(iii)

the treaty will commit Australia to opposing West Papuan self-determination, and

(iv)

the treaty also envisages increased defence cooperation with the Indonesian security forces; and

(b)

calls on the Government not to sign the treaty and instead express support for West Papua’s right to self-determination.