Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend business of the Senate notice of motion No. 1 standing in my name for today by changing the reporting date.

Leave granted.

I move the motion as amended:

That the following matter be referred to the Environment and Communications References Committee for inquiry and report by the last sitting day of May 2020:

The impact of seismic testing on fisheries and the marine environment, with particular reference to:

(a) the body of science and research into the use of seismic testing;

(b) the regulation of seismic testing in both Commonwealth and state waters;

(c) the approach taken to seismic testing internationally; and

(d) any other related matters.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) | Link to this | Hansard source

Seismic testing in Australian waters and around the world has been undertaken safely for decades. There are strict safety and environmental standards overseen by an independent expert regulator, the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority, otherwise known as NOPSEMA, which takes into account publicly available research findings in its decisions. A large body of international and Australian scientific research shows that, when properly managed, seismic surveys can be conducted safely. A three-year research program by the Australian Institute of Marine Science is currently underway to further understand the impacts on fish, invertebrates and plankton.

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that general business of the Senate notice of motion No. 1 as amended by Senator Whish-Wilson be agreed to.