Senate debates

Wednesday, 14 November 2018

Documents

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park; Order for the Production of Documents

4:14 pm

Photo of Larissa WatersLarissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | | Hansard source

I move:

That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, by 26 November 2018:

(a) all documents or correspondence between the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and Carnival Australia, or its cruise line brand P&O Cruises Australia, in relation to the spilling of 27,000 litres of food waste and grey water into the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park on or around 26 August 2018, since the date of the incident;

(b) all documents or correspondence between AMSA and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, in relation to the spilling of 27,000 litres of food waste and grey water into the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park on or around 26 August 2018, since the date of the incident; and

(c) all notifications, breaches and compliance actions taken by AMSA in relation to shipping pollution incidents for the last two years.

Photo of Anne RustonAnne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Photo of Scott RyanScott Ryan (President) Share this | | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Photo of Anne RustonAnne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | | Hansard source

On 28 August 2018, Carnival Australia reported to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority that an unapproved discharge of food waste from the vessel Pacific Explorer occurred within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park on 26 August. After reviewing the report, the AMSA detained the ship on its return to Australia, in Sydney on 8 September 2018, to gather evidence of the reported discharge. The AMSA is currently investigating this incident, and it would be inappropriate to release documentation relating to the reported incident or the AMSA investigation at this time.

Photo of Scott RyanScott Ryan (President) Share this | | Hansard source

The question is that motion No. 1201 be agreed to.