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GREAT BARRIER REEF MARINE PARK AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2008

2008

The Parliament of the
Commonwealth of Australia

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES


Presented and read a first time



Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2008

No. , 2008

(Environment, Heritage and the Arts)

A Bill for an Act to amend the law in relation to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, and for related purposes



Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2008 No. , 2008

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2008 No. , 2008
Contents

 

1 Short title 1

 

2 Commencement 1

 

3 Schedule(s) 2
Schedule 1--Objects and application 3
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 3
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Environmental Management Charge--Excise) Act 1993 10
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Environmental Management Charge--General) Act 1993 11
Schedule 2--Matters relating to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority 12
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 12
Schedule 3--Proclaiming the Marine Park, zoning plans and plans of management 14
Part 1--Amendment of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 14
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 14
Part 2--Amendment of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 15
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 15
Part 3--Amendment of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 29
Legislative Instruments Act 2003 29
Part 4--Transitional, application and saving provisions 30
Schedule 4--Environmental impact assessments 32
Part 1--Amendment of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 32
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 32
Part 2--Amendment of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 43
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 43
Part 3--Transitional, application and saving provisions 45
Schedule 5--Investigation and enforcement 48
Part 1--Amendment of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 48
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 48
Part 2--Amendment of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 62
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 62
Part 3--Transitional, application and saving provisions 110
Schedule 6--Offences and civil penalties 113
Part 1--Amendments 113
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 113
Part 2--Transitional, application and saving provisions 146

Schedule 6 Offences and civil penalties
Part 2 Transitional, application and saving provisions

Offences and civil penalties Schedule 6
Amendments Part 1


Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2008 No. , 2008

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2008 No. , 2008

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2008 No. , 2008
A Bill for an Act to amend the law in relation to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, and for related purposes
The Parliament of Australia enacts:

 

1 Short title

This Act may be cited as the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2008.

 

2 Commencement

    (1) Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.


Commencement information

Column 1
Column 2
Column 3

Provision(s)
Commencement
Date/Details

 

1. Sections 1 to 3 and anything in this Act not elsewhere covered by this table
The day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent.


 

2. Schedules 1, 2 and 3
The day after this Act receives the Royal Assent.


 

3. Schedules 4, 5 and 6
A single day to be fixed by Proclamation.

However, if any of the provision(s) do not commence within the period of 12 months beginning on the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent, they commence on the first day after the end of that period.



Note: This table relates only to the provisions of this Act as originally passed by both Houses of the Parliament and assented to. It will not be expanded to deal with provisions inserted in this Act after assent.

    (2) Column 3 of the table contains additional information that is not part of this Act. Information in this column may be added to or edited in any published version of this Act.

 

3 Schedule(s)

Each Act that is specified in a Schedule to this Act is amended or repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule concerned, and any other item in a Schedule to this Act has effect according to its terms.


Schedule 1--Objects and application

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975

 

1 After section 2
Insert:

 

2A Objects of this Act

    (1) The main object of this Act is to provide for the long term protection and conservation of the environment, biodiversity and heritage values of the Great Barrier Reef Region.

    (2) The other objects of this Act are to do the following, so far as is consistent with the main object:

        (a)   allow ecologically sustainable use of the Great Barrier Reef Region for purposes including the following:

        (i)   public enjoyment and appreciation;

        (ii)   public education about and understanding of the Region;

(iii) recreational, economic and cultural activities;

        (iv)   research in relation to the natural, social, economic and cultural systems and value of the Great Barrier Reef Region;

        (b)   encourage engagement in the protection and management of the Great Barrier Reef Region by interested persons and groups, including Queensland and local governments, communities, Indigenous persons, business and industry;

        (c)   assist in meeting Australia's international responsibilities in relation to the environment and protection of world heritage (especially Australia's responsibilities under the World Heritage Convention).

    (3) In order to achieve its objects, this Act:

        (a)   provides for the establishment, control, care and development of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park; and

        (b)   establishes the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority; and

        (c)   provides for zoning plans and plans of management; and

        (d)   regulates, including by a system of permissions, use of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in ways consistent with ecosystem-based management and the principles of ecologically sustainable use; and

        (e)   facilitates partnership with traditional owners in management of marine resources; and

        (f)   facilitates a collaborative approach to management of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage area with the Queensland government.

 

2 Subsection 3(1) (definition of Australian coastal sea)
Repeal the definition.

 

3 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

Australian jurisdiction has the meaning given by subsection 5(4).

 

4 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

continental shelf has the same meaning as in the Seas and Submerged Lands Act 1973.

 

5 Subsection 3(1) (definition of continental shelf of Australia)
Repeal the definition.

 

6 Subsection 3(1) (definition of Director)
Repeal the definition.

 

7 Subsection 3(1) (definition of ecological community)
Repeal the definition.

 

8 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

ecologically sustainable use has the meaning given by section 3AA.

 

9 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

ecosystem-based management means an integrated approach to managing an ecosystem and matters affecting that ecosystem, with the main object being to maintain ecological processes, biodiversity and functioning biological communities.

 

10 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

exclusive economic zone has the same meaning as in the Seas and Submerged Lands Act 1973.

 

11 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

Indigenous person means a person who is:

        (a)   a member of the Aboriginal race of Australia; or

        (b)   a descendant of an Indigenous inhabitant of the Torres Strait Islands.

 

12 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

precautionary principle means the principle that lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing a measure to prevent degradation of the environment where there are threats of serious or irreversible environmental damage.

 

13 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

principles of ecologically sustainable use has the meaning given by section 3AB.

 

14 Subsection 3(1) (definition of right)
Repeal the definition.

 

15 Subsection 3(1) (definition of species)
Repeal the definition.

 

16 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

traditional owner means an Indigenous person:

        (a)   who is recognised in the Indigenous community or by a relevant representative Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander body:

        (i)   as having spiritual or cultural affiliations with a site or area in the Marine Park; or

        (ii)   as holding native title in relation to that site or area; and

        (b)   who is entitled to undertake activities under Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander custom or tradition in that site or area.

 

17 After subsection 3(1)
Insert:

(1A) In this Act, the following terms have the same meaning as in the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999:

approved conservation advice
Australian aircraft
Australian IUCN reserve management principles
Australian vessel
biodiversity
bioregional plan
cetacean
critical habitat
ecological community
ecosystem
environment
heritage value
IUCN category
key threatening process
listed marine species
listed migratory species
listed threatened ecological community
listed threatened species
recovery plan
species
threat abatement plan
wildlife conservation plan
World Heritage Convention
world heritage values

 

18 After section 3
Insert:

 

3AA Ecologically sustainable use

For the purposes of this Act, ecologically sustainable use of the Great Barrier Reef Region or its natural resources is use of the Region or resources:

        (a)   that is consistent with:

        (i)   protecting and conserving the environment, biodiversity and heritage values of the Great Barrier Reef Region; and

        (ii)   ecosystem-based management; and

        (b)   that is within the capacity of the Region and its natural resources to sustain natural processes while maintaining the life-support systems of nature and ensuring that the benefit of the use to the present generation does not diminish the potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations.

 

3AB Principles of ecologically sustainable use

For the purposes of this Act, the following principles are principles of ecologically sustainable use:

        (a)   decision-making processes should effectively integrate both long-term and short-term environmental, economic, social and equitable considerations;

        (b)   the precautionary principle;

        (c)   the principle of inter-generational equity--that the present generation should ensure that the health, diversity and productivity of the environment is maintained or enhanced for the benefit of future generations;

        (d)   the conservation of biodiversity and ecological integrity should be a fundamental consideration in decision-making;

        (e)   improved valuation, pricing and incentive mechanisms should be promoted.

 

19 Subsection 4(2)
Repeal the subsection.

Note: The heading to section 4 is replaced by the heading "Act to bind Crown".

 

20 Section 5
Repeal the section, substitute:

 

5 Application of Act
Extension to external Territories

    (1) This Act extends to every external Territory.

Limited extraterritorial application

    (2) This Act applies to acts, omissions, matters and things in the Australian jurisdiction, and does not apply to acts, omissions, matters and things outside the Australian jurisdiction except so far as the contrary intention applies.

Application to everyone in Australia and exclusive economic zone

    (3) A provision of this Act that has effect in relation to a place that is within the outer limits of the exclusive economic zone of Australia (whether the place is in the zone or in Australia or an external Territory), or that is on or in the continental shelf of Australia, applies in relation to the following:

        (a)   all persons (including persons who are not Australian citizens);

        (b)   all vessels (including vessels that are not Australian vessels);

        (c)   all aircraft (including aircraft that are not Australian aircraft);

        (d)   all platforms.

Note: A reference to Australia or to an external Territory generally includes a reference to the coastal sea of Australia or the Territory (as appropriate). See section 15B of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.

Definition of Australian jurisdiction

    (4) In this Act:

Australian jurisdiction means:

        (a)   the land, waters, seabed and airspace in, under or above:

        (i)   Australia; or

        (ii)   an external Territory; or

(iii) the exclusive economic zone of Australia; or

        (b)   the continental shelf of Australia.

Note: A reference to Australia or to an external Territory generally includes a reference to the coastal sea of Australia or the Territory (as appropriate). See section 15B of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.

 

21 At the end of section 7
Add:

    (3) In managing the Marine Park and performing its other functions, the Authority must have regard to, and seek to act in a way that is consistent with:

        (a)   the objects of this Act in section 2A; and

        (b)   the principles of ecologically sustainable use; and

        (c)   the protection of the world heritage values of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

    (4) The Authority may prepare and publish plans and policies about:

        (a)   the way in which the Authority intends to manage the Marine Park or perform its other functions; and

        (b)   the way in which the Authority considers that this Act or a zoning plan applies:

        (i)   in relation to persons generally or a class of persons; or

        (ii)   in relation to persons generally, or a class of persons, in relation to particular circumstances.

    (5) A plan or policy prepared under subsection (4) is not a legislative instrument.

 

22 Section 39Z
Repeal the section.

 

23 Subsections 54(6) and 65(1)
Repeal the subsections.

 

24 Subsection 65(2)
Omit "(2)".

 

25 At the end of section 66
Add:

    (13) Despite subsection 14(2) of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003, the regulations may make provision in relation to a matter by applying, adopting or incorporating any matter contained in an instrument or other writing as in force or existing from time to time.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Environmental Management Charge--Excise) Act 1993

 

26 Section 3
Repeal the section, substitute:

 

3 Application of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975

Sections 4 and 5 of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 apply in relation to this Act in a corresponding way to the way in which they apply in relation to that Act.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Environmental Management Charge--General) Act 1993

 

27 Section 3
Repeal the section, substitute:

 

3 Application of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975

Sections 4 and 5 of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 apply in relation to this Act in a corresponding way to the way in which they apply in relation to that Act.


Schedule 2--Matters relating to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975

 

1 After subsection 10(6)
Insert:

(6A) At least one member must be an Indigenous person with knowledge of, or experience concerning, indigenous issues relating to the Marine Park.

 

2 At the end of subsection 17(1)
Add:

Note: See also section 33B of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.

 

3 Subsection 17(8)
Repeal the subsection, substitute:

    (8) If only 2 members are present at a meeting of the Authority and they differ on a question arising at the meeting, a decision on the question must be deferred:

        (a)   until a meeting at which at least 3 members are present; or

        (b)   for decision under section 18.

 

4 At the end of Part III
Add:

 

18 Decisions without meetings

    (1) The Authority is taken to have made a decision at a meeting if:

        (a)   without meeting, a majority of the members entitled to vote on the proposed decision indicate agreement with the decision; and

        (b)   that agreement is indicated in accordance with the method determined by the Authority under subsection (2); and

        (c)   all the members were informed of the proposed decision, or reasonable efforts were made to inform all the members of the proposed decision.

    (2) Subsection (1) applies only if the Authority:

        (a)   has determined that it may make decisions of that kind without a meeting; and

        (b)   has determined the method by which members are to indicate agreement with proposed decisions.

    (3) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(a), a member is not entitled to vote on a proposed decision if the member would not have been entitled to vote on that decision if the matter had been considered at a meeting of the Authority.

    (4) The Authority must keep a record of decisions made in accordance with this section.


Schedule 3--Proclaiming the Marine Park, zoning plans and plans of management
Part 1--Amendment of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

 

1 At the end of section 321
Add:

    (3) Subsection (2) does not apply in relation to so much of a property as is in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Note: A zoning plan must be prepared under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 for areas that are part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. In preparing a zoning plan, regard must be had to the Australian World Heritage management principles.

 

2 After subsection 324X(2)
Insert:

(2A) Subsection (2) does not apply in relation to so much of a place as is in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Note: A zoning plan must be prepared under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 for areas that are part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. In preparing a zoning plan, regard must be had to the National Heritage management principles.


Part 2--Amendment of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975

 

3 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

community group having a special interest has a meaning affected by section 39V.

 

4 Subsection 3(1) (definition of plan of management)
Omit "under section 39ZD", substitute "in accordance with Part VB".

 

5 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

public notice means a notice published:

        (a)   in the Gazette; and

        (b)   in a newspaper circulating generally in Queensland; and

        (c)   on the website of the Authority; and

        (d)   in such other manner (if any) as the Authority considers appropriate.

 

6 Subsection 3(1) (at the end of the definition of zone)
Add "(whether designated in the plan as a zone, area or some other designation)".

 

7 Subsection 3(1) (definition of zoning plan)
Omit "in pursuance of section 32", substitute "in accordance with Division 2 of Part V".

 

8 Subsection 3(3)
Repeal the subsection.

 

9 Paragraph 7(1)(c)
Before "Part V", insert "Division 2 of".

 

10 Before section 30
Insert:

Division 1--Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

 

11 At the end of subsection 31(1)
Add:

Note: A Proclamation under subsection (1) is a legislative instrument but is not subject to disallowance or sunsetting (see item 23 of the table in subsection 44(2), and item 22 of the table in subsection 54(2), of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003).

 

12 Subsection 31(3)
Omit "subsection (4)", substitute "subsections (4) and (5)".

 

13 At the end of subsection 31(3)
Add:

Note: A Proclamation under subsection (3) is a legislative instrument but is not subject to disallowance or sunsetting (see item 23 of the table in subsection 44(2), and item 22 of the table in subsection 54(2), of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003).

 

14 At the end of section 31
Add:

    (6) Before preparing the report, the Authority must, by public notice:

        (a)   state that the area is proposed to be included in the Marine Park; and

        (b)   state the boundaries of the area; and

        (c)   state any name or other designation proposed for the area; and

        (d)   invite the public to make comments in connection with the proposal by the date specified in the notice (which must be at least 60 days after the date the notice is published in the Gazette); and

        (e)   specify the address to which comments must be sent.

    (7) The Authority must include in the report any comments made in accordance with the notice and the Authority's views on the comments.

 

15 Sections 32 and 33
Repeal the sections, substitute:

Division 2--Zoning plans

 

32 Objects of Division

    (1) The objects of this Division are:

        (a)   to regulate the use of the Marine Park so as to:

        (i)   protect the ecosystem within the Great Barrier Reef Region; and

        (ii)   ensure the use is ecologically sustainable use; and

(iii) manage competing usage demands; and

        (b)   to protect areas in the Marine Park that are of high conservation value; and

        (c)   to protect and conserve the biodiversity of the Marine Park, including ecosystems, habitats, populations and genes; and

        (d)   to regulate activities that exploit the resources of the Great Barrier Reef Region so as to:

        (i)   minimise the adverse effect of those activities on the Great Barrier Reef; and

        (ii)   ensure the ecologically sustainable use of the resources; and

        (e)   to protect the world heritage values of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area; and

        (f)   to provide for the ecologically sustainable use of marine resources by traditional owners consistent with their traditional practices; and

        (g)   to reserve some areas of the Great Barrier Reef Region for public enjoyment and appreciation; and

        (h)   to preserve some areas of the Great Barrier Reef Region in a natural state, undisturbed except for the purposes of scientific research that cannot be undertaken elsewhere in the Marine Park.

    (2) To achieve these objects, this Division provides for the preparation of zoning plans in respect of areas in the Marine Park.

 

32A When zoning plans must be prepared

As soon as practicable after an area has been declared under section 31 to be part of the Marine Park, the Authority must prepare a zoning plan in respect of the area.

 

32B Content of zoning plans

    (1) A zoning plan prepared in respect of an area must provide that, for the purposes of this Act, the area:

        (a)   constitutes a single zone; or

        (b)   is divided into 2 or more zones described in the plan.

    (2) The plan must do the following in relation to the zone or each of the zones:

        (a)   give the zone a name or other designation;

        (b)   make provision with respect to the purposes for which the zone may be used or entered;

        (c)   designate an IUCN category for the zone, or each part of the zone.

 

32C Notice of intention to prepare zoning plan

    (1) Before preparing a zoning plan in respect of an area, the Authority must, by public notice:

        (a)   state that it intends to prepare a zoning plan in respect of the area; and

        (b)   invite the public to make comments in connection with the proposed plan by the date specified in the notice (which must be at least 3 months after the date the notice is published in the Gazette); and

        (c)   specify the address to which comments must be sent; and

        (d)   specify that the following are publicly available and how a copy may be obtained:

        (i)   principles approved under section 34;

        (ii)   a statement prepared under subsection 35(1).

    (2) The Authority must consider any comments made in accordance with the notice.

 

16 Subsection 34(9)
Omit "section 33", substitute "section 38 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003".

 

17 After section 35
Insert:

 

35A Matters to which Authority must have regard when preparing zoning plans

    (1) The Authority must, in preparing a zoning plan in respect of an area (the zoning plan area), have regard to the following:

        (a)   the objects of this Division;

        (b)   the principles approved under section 34 relating to the preparation of the plan;

        (c)   any reports that have been given to the Minister under section 54;

        (d)   any matter protected by a provision of Part 3 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 that is relevant to the zoning plan area;

        (e)   any approved conservation advice, bioregional plan, recovery plan, threat abatement plan or wildlife conservation plan that is relevant to the zoning plan area;

        (f)   any value, plan or principle referred to in Part 15 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 that relates to a property, place, wetland or other area that is in the zoning plan area;

        (g)   any habitat in the zoning plan area that is critical habitat;

        (h)   any plan made under the Marine Parks Act 2004 of Queensland or the Nature Conservation Act 1992 of Queensland that is relevant to the zoning plan area;

        (i)   any other matter prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph.

    (2) In designating an IUCN category in relation to a zone for the purposes of paragraph 32B(2)(c), the Authority must have regard to:

        (a)   the purposes for which the zone may be used or entered; and

        (b)   the Australian IUCN Reserve Management Principles for the category.

 

35B Notice of preparation of zoning plan

    (1) When the Authority has prepared a zoning plan in respect of an area, it must, by public notice:

        (a)   state that a zoning plan has been prepared in respect of the area; and

        (b)   invite the public to make comments in connection with the plan by the date specified in the notice (which must be at least 3 months after the date the notice is published in the Gazette); and

        (c)   specify the address or addresses at which copies of the plan may be inspected or purchased; and

        (d)   specify the address to which comments must be sent; and

        (e)   specify that a statement prepared under subsection 35(2) is publicly available and how a copy may be obtained.

    (2) The Authority must consider any comments made in accordance with the notice and, if it thinks fit, alter the plan accordingly.

 

35C Zoning plans must be submitted to Minister
Submission to Minister

    (1) When the Authority has prepared a zoning plan in respect of an area, it must submit to the Minister:

        (a)   the plan; and

        (b)   if comments have been made in accordance with a notice under section 35B in connection with the plan--those comments, together with the Authority's views on those comments.

Plan may be accepted or referred

    (2) The Minister may:

        (a)   accept the plan; or

        (b)   refer the plan to the Authority, together with the Minister's suggestions, for further consideration.

Process after plan is referred

    (3) If the plan is referred to the Authority, it must, as soon as practicable after receiving the plan, further consider the plan, having regard to the Minister's suggestions.

    (4) The Authority must then submit the plan again, with or without alterations, to the Minister, together with its views on the Minister's suggestions.

    (5) When the plan is again submitted to the Minister, the Minister must, as soon as practicable after receiving the plan:

        (a)   accept the plan; or

        (b)   accept the plan after making such alterations as the Minister thinks fit.

    (6) If the Minister alters the plan under subsection (5), the Minister must prepare a report:

        (a)   specifying the alterations; and

        (b)   setting out any views expressed by the Authority in respect of the matters to which the alterations relate.

    (7) The report must accompany the plan when it is laid before both Houses of the Parliament under section 38 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.

Matters to which Minister must have regard

    (8) In deciding whether to accept a zoning plan under this section, the Minister must have regard to the obligations of Australia under international law, including obligations under any agreement or arrangement between Australia and another country or countries.

 

35D Zoning plans are legislative instruments

A zoning plan prepared by the Authority and accepted by the Minister is a legislative instrument made by the Minister on the day on which the plan is accepted, but neither section 42 (disallowance) nor Part 6 (sunsetting) of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 applies to the plan.

 

35E Disallowance of zoning plans

    (1) If notice of a motion to disallow a zoning plan is given in a House of the Parliament within 15 sitting days of that House after a copy of the plan was laid before that House, the House may, within 15 sitting days of that House after the giving of that notice, pass a resolution, in pursuance of the motion, disallowing the plan.

Note: A zoning plan is a legislative instrument (see section 35D) and must be laid before each House of the Parliament under section 38 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.

    (2) If:

        (a)   notice of a motion to disallow a zoning plan is given in a House of the Parliament within 15 sitting days of that House after a copy of the plan was laid before that House; and

        (b)   before the end of 15 sitting days of that House after the giving of that notice of motion, the House of Representatives is dissolved or expires, or the Parliament is prorogued; and

        (c)   at the time of the dissolution, expiry or prorogation, as the case may be:

        (i)   the notice has not been withdrawn and the motion has not been called on; or

        (ii)   the motion has been called on, moved and (where relevant) seconded and has not been withdrawn or otherwise disposed of;
the plan is taken, for the purposes of this section, to have been laid before the first-mentioned House on the first sitting day of that first-mentioned House after the dissolution, expiry or prorogation, as the case may be.

    (3) If either House of the Parliament passes a resolution in accordance with subsection (1) disallowing a zoning plan:

        (a)   the Minister must direct the Authority to prepare a fresh plan; and

        (b)   the Authority must prepare a fresh plan in accordance with this Division.

 

35F Commencement of zoning plans

    (1) If:

        (a)   a zoning plan has been laid before both Houses of the Parliament under section 38 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003; and

        (b)   neither House of the Parliament passes a resolution in accordance with subsection 35E(1) disallowing the plan;
the Minister must, as soon as practicable after the end of the last day on which a resolution disallowing the plan could have been passed, state, by public notice, that the plan is to come into operation on the date specified in the notice (which must not be earlier than the date the notice is published in the Gazette).

    (2) The plan comes into operation on the date specified in the notice.

    (3) The notice:

        (a)   must specify an address or addresses at which copies of the plan may be inspected or purchased; and

        (b)   may contain:

        (i)   a description of the zone or zones to which the plan relates; and

        (ii)   any other particulars of the plan.

 

35G Statement about operational principles

Within 60 days after the day on which a notice under section 35F is published in the Gazette in relation to a zoning plan, the Authority must make publicly available a report that contains a statement of how the Authority, in preparing the plan, had regard to the principles approved under section 34 relating to the preparation of the plan.

 

18 Subsection 37(2)
Omit "subsection 32(2)", substitute "section 32C".

 

19 Subsection 37(2) (note)
Omit "Subsection 32(2)", substitute "Section 32C".

 

20 After subsection 37(2)
Insert:

Amendment is a legislative instrument

(2A) An amendment of a zoning plan, prepared by the Authority and accepted by the Minister, is a legislative instrument made by the Minister on the day on which the amendment is accepted, but neither section 42 (disallowance) nor Part 6 (sunsetting) of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 applies to the amendment.

 

21 Subsection 37(4)
Omit "subsection 32(2)", substitute "section 32C".

 

22 Subsection 37(4) (note)
Omit "Subsection 32(2)", substitute "Section 32C".

 

23 After subsection 37(4)
Insert:

Revocation is a legislative instrument

(4A) A revocation of a zoning plan, prepared by the Authority and accepted by the Minister, is a legislative instrument made by the Minister on the day on which the revocation is accepted, but neither section 42 (disallowance) nor Part 6 (sunsetting) of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 applies to the revocation.

 

24 Subsection 37(8)
Omit "to 35", substitute "to 35C and 35E to 35G".

Note: The heading to subsection 37(8) is altered by omitting "35" and substituting "35C and 35E to 35G".

 

25 Subsection 37(8)
Omit "section 32", substitute "this Division".

 

26 Subsection 37(9)
Omit "subsection 32(2)", substitute "section 32C".

 

27 Subsection 37A(2)
Omit "Subsections 33(1) to (3) and (5) and (6)", substitute "Subsections 35E(1) and (2) and section 35F".

 

28 Subsection 37A(2)
Omit "section 32", substitute "section 35C".

 

29 At the end of section 37A
Add:

    (3) An amendment of a zoning plan, prepared by the Authority and approved by the Minister, is a legislative instrument made by the Minister on the day on which the amendment is approved, but neither section 42 (disallowance) nor Part 6 (sunsetting) of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 applies to the amendment.

 

30 After section 37A
Insert:

Division 3--Offences etc.

 

31 Subsection 39V(1)
Omit "(1) A reference in this Part to a community group having a special interest", substitute "A reference in this Act to a community group having a special interest".

 

32 Subsection 39V(2)
Repeal the subsection.

 

33 At the end of section 39W
Add:

    (3) Plans of management prepared in accordance with this Part may set out:

        (a)   policies and strategies in relation to management of the matters referred to in section 39X; and

        (b)   enforcement provisions (see subsection 39ZD(5)).

 

34 Paragraphs 39ZB(1)(c) and (d)
Repeal the paragraphs, substitute:

        (c)   invite the public to make comments in relation to matters to be included in the plan by the date specified in the notice (which must be at least 1 month after the date the notice is published in the Gazette); and

        (d)   specify the address to which comments must be sent.

 

35 Subsections 39ZB(2) and (3)
Repeal the subsections, substitute:

    (2) The Authority must take into account any comments made in accordance with the notice.

 

36 Subsection 39ZD(1)
Omit "submissions", substitute "comments".

 

37 Subsection 39ZD(2)
Repeal the subsection, substitute:

(1A) The Authority must, in preparing the plan of management, have regard to the following:

        (a)   any key threatening process that is relevant to the area, species or ecological community to which the plan relates;

        (b)   any critical habitat that is in the area, or that is relevant to the species or ecological community, to which the plan relates;

        (c)   if the plan relates to a listed threatened species or a listed threatened ecological community--any approved conservation advice, recovery plan, threat abatement plan or wildlife conservation plan that is relevant to the species or ecological community;

        (d)   any plan made under the Marine Parks Act 2004 of Queensland or the Nature Conservation Act 1992 of Queensland that is relevant to the area, species or ecological community to which the plan relates.

    (2) The plan of management must not be inconsistent with any of the following:

        (a)   a provision of this Act;

        (b)   a provision of a zoning plan in force for the area, or in force for an area relevant to the species or ecological community, to which the plan of management relates;

        (c)   if the plan of management relates to a listed threatened species or a listed threatened ecological community--a recovery plan or threat abatement plan that is relevant to the species or ecological community.

 

38 Paragraph 39ZE(1)(c)
Repeal the paragraph, substitute:

        (c)   invite the public to make comments in connection with the plan by the date specified in the notice (which must be at least 1 month after the date the notice is published in the Gazette); and

 

39 Subparagraph 39ZE(1)(d)(ii)
Omit "submissions may", substitute "comments must".

 

40 Subsection 39ZE(2)
Repeal the subsection.

 

41 Subsection 39ZE(3)
Omit "submissions so made", substitute "comments made in accordance with the notice".

 

42 Section 39ZF
Repeal the section, substitute:

 

39ZF Plans of management are legislative instruments

A plan of management made under subsection 39ZE(3) is a legislative instrument.

Note: A plan of management is not subject to sunsetting (see item 22 of the table in subsection 54(2) of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003).

 

43 Subsection 39ZG(2)
Omit "to 39ZF", substitute "and 39ZE".

 

44 Paragraph 39ZG(3)(a)
Omit "submissions", substitute "comments".

 

45 At the end of section 39ZG
Add:

    (4) An amendment of a plan of management made in accordance with this section is a legislative instrument.

Note: An amendment of a plan of management is not subject to sunsetting (see item 22 of the table in subsection 54(2) of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003).

 

46 Subsections 39ZH(1), (2) and (3)
Repeal the subsections, substitute:

    (1) The Authority may, by legislative instrument, revoke a plan of management.

Note: A revocation of a plan of management is not subject to sunsetting (see item 22 of the table in subsection 54(2) of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003).

 

47 Section 39ZI
Repeal the section, substitute:

 

39ZI Authority to comply with management plans

    (1) While a plan of management is in force in relation to an area of the Marine Park, the Authority must perform its functions and exercise its powers in relation to the area in accordance with that plan and not otherwise.

    (2) While a plan of management is in force in relation to a species within the Marine Park or within an area of the Marine Park, the Authority must perform its functions and exercise its powers in relation to the species, or in relation to the species within the area, in accordance with that plan and not otherwise.

    (3) While a plan of management is in force in relation to an ecological community within the Marine Park or within an area of the Marine Park, the Authority must perform its functions and exercise its powers in relation to the community, or in relation to the community within the area, in accordance with that plan and not otherwise.


Part 3--Amendment of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003
Legislative Instruments Act 2003

 

48 Subsection 54(2) (table item 22)
Omit "zoning plans prepared under section 32 of that Act, instruments made under section 37 of that Act amending or revoking such zoning plans,".


Part 4--Transitional, application and saving provisions

 

49 Zoning plans in force under Part V of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975
(1) This item applies if, immediately before the commencement of this Schedule, a zoning plan was in force under Part V of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975.

    (2) Despite the amendments made by this Schedule, the zoning plan continues in force after the commencement of this Schedule as if the plan had been prepared in accordance with Division 2 of Part V of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975, as that Division is in force immediately after the commencement of this Schedule.

    (3) Despite subsection 37(1) of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975, and subject to subsection 35A(2) of that Act as in force immediately after the commencement of this Schedule, the Authority may, with the Minister's approval, amend the zoning plan for the purpose of designating an IUCN category for each zone, or each part of a zone, described in the plan.

    (4) Subsections 37A(2) and (3) of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975, as in force immediately after the commencement of this Schedule, apply to an amendment under subitem (3) in the same way as they apply to amendments under subsection 37A(1) of that Act.

 

50 Plans of management in force under Part VB of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975
(1) This item applies if, immediately before the commencement of this Schedule, a plan of management was in force under Part VB of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975.

    (2) Despite the amendments made by this Schedule, the plan of management continues in force after the commencement of this Schedule as if the plan had been prepared in accordance with Part VB of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975, as that Part is in force immediately after the commencement of this Schedule.

 

51 Plans of management etc. prepared under Part VB of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975
(1) This item applies if, before the commencement of this Schedule:

        (a)   a plan of management, or an amendment of a plan of management, was prepared under Part VB of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975; and

        (b)   a notice under subsection 39ZE(1) of that Act was given in relation to the plan or amendment; and

        (c)   the plan or amendment had not yet come into force.

    (2) Despite the amendments made by this Schedule:

        (a)   Part VB of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 continues to apply in relation to the preparation and coming into force of the plan or amendment as if those amendments had not been made; and

        (b)   after the plan or amendment comes into force, it is taken to be, and continues in force as if it were, a plan or amendment prepared in accordance with Part VB of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975, as that Part is in force immediately after the commencement of this Schedule.

 

52 Plans of management etc. being prepared under Part VB of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975
(1) If, before the commencement of this Schedule:

        (a)   a plan of management, or an amendment of a plan of management, was being prepared under Part VB of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975; but

        (b)   a notice under subsection 39ZE(1) of that Act had not been given in relation to the plan or amendment;
the amendments made by this Schedule apply in relation to the plan or amendment.

    (2) This item does not limit the application that the amendments made by this Schedule have apart from this item.


Schedule 4--Environmental impact assessments
Part 1--Amendment of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

 

1 Section 11 (simplified outline)
Omit "or a plan for managing the Great Barrier Reef", substitute "or it is for a purpose for which, under a zoning plan for a zone made under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975, the zone may be used or entered without permission".

 

2 After Subdivision F of Division 1 of Part 3
Insert:

Subdivision FA--Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

 

24B Requirement for approval of activities in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
Actions in Great Barrier Reef Marine Park affecting the environment

    (1) A person must not take in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park an action that has, will have or is likely to have, a significant impact on the environment.

Civil penalty:

        (a)   for an individual--5,000 penalty units;

        (b)   for a body corporate--50,000 penalty units.

Actions outside Great Barrier Reef Marine Park affecting the environment in the Marine Park

    (2) A person must not take outside the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park but in the Australian jurisdiction an action that:

        (a)   has or will have a significant impact on the environment in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park; or

        (b)   is likely to have a significant impact on the environment in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Civil penalty:

        (a)   for an individual--5,000 penalty units;

        (b)   for a body corporate--50,000 penalty units.

Exceptions to prohibition

    (3) Subsection (1) or (2) does not apply to an action if:

        (a)   an approval of the taking of the action by the person is in operation under Part 9 for the purposes of the subsection; or

        (b)   Part 4 lets the person take the action without an approval under Part 9 for the purposes of the subsection; or

        (c)   there is in force a decision of the Minister under Division 2 of Part 7 that the subsection is not a controlling provision for the action and, if the decision was made because the Minister believed the action would be taken in a manner specified in the notice of the decision under section 77, the action is taken in that manner; or

        (d)   the person taking the action is the Commonwealth or a Commonwealth agency; or

        (e)   the action is an action described in subsection 160(2) (which describes actions whose authorisation is subject to a special environmental assessment process).

Note: Section 28 regulates actions by the Commonwealth or a Commonwealth agency with a significant impact on the environment.

 

24C Offences relating to Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
Actions in Great Barrier Reef Marine Park affecting the environment

    (1) A person commits an offence if:

        (a)   the person takes an action; and

        (b)   the action is taken in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park; and

        (c)   the action results or will result in a significant impact on the environment.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years or 420 penalty units, or both.

    (2) Strict liability applies to paragraph (1)(b).

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

Actions in Great Barrier Reef Marine Park likely to affect the environment

    (3) A person commits an offence if:

        (a)   the person takes an action; and

        (b)   the action is taken in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park; and

        (c)   the action is likely to have a significant impact on the environment.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years or 420 penalty units, or both.

    (4) Strict liability applies to paragraph (3)(b).

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

Actions outside Great Barrier Reef Marine Park affecting environment in the Marine Park

    (5) A person commits an offence if:

        (a)   the person takes an action; and

        (b)   the action is taken outside the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park but in the Australian jurisdiction; and

        (c)   the action results in or will result in a significant impact on the environment in an area; and

        (d)   the area is the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years or 420 penalty units, or both.

    (6) Strict liability applies to paragraphs (5)(b) and (d).

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

Actions outside Great Barrier Reef Marine Park likely to affect environment in the Marine Park

    (7) A person commits an offence if:

        (a)   the person takes an action; and

        (b)   the action is taken outside the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park but in the Australian jurisdiction; and

        (c)   the action is likely to have a significant impact on the environment in an area; and

        (d)   the area is the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years or 420 penalty units, or both.

    (8) Strict liability applies to paragraphs (7)(b) and (d).

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

Defences

    (9) Subsection (1), (3), (5) or (7) does not apply to an action if:

        (a)   an approval of the taking of the action by the person is in operation under Part 9 for the purposes of the subsection; or

        (b)   Part 4 lets the person take the action without an approval under Part 9 for the purposes of the subsection; or

        (c)   there is in force a decision of the Minister under Division 2 of Part 7 that the subsection is not a controlling provision for the action and, if the decision was made because the Minister believed the action would be taken in a manner specified in the notice of the decision under section 77, the action is taken in that manner; or

        (d)   the person taking the action is the Commonwealth or a Commonwealth agency; or

        (e)   the action is an action described in subsection 160(2) (which describes actions whose authorisation is subject to a special environmental assessment process).

Note: The defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection. See subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code.

 

3 Paragraph 25AA(2)(g)
Omit "(6).", substitute "(6);".

 

4 After paragraph 25AA(2)(g)
Insert:

        (h)   subsections 24C(1), (3), (5) and (7).

 

5 After paragraph 25AA(3)(g)
Insert:

(ga) subsections 24B(1) and (2);

 

6 Subsection 29(1) (note 2)
After "areas", insert "or in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park".

 

7 Subsection 30(3) (note)
After "area", insert "or the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park".

 

8 Section 34 (after table item 13C)
Insert:

 

13D
subsection 24B(1)
the environment

 

13E
subsection 24B(2)
the environment in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

 

13F
subsections 24C(1) and (3)
the environment

 

13G
subsections 24C(5) and (7)
the environment in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

 

9 Paragraph 43(a)
Omit "the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park established by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975", substitute "a zone (within the meaning of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975) of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park".

Note: The heading to section 43 is altered by omitting "permission" and substituting "zoning plan".

 

10 Paragraph 43(b)
Repeal the paragraph, substitute:

        (b)   it is for a purpose for which, under the zoning plan for the zone made under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975, the zone may be used or entered without permission.

 

11 After subsection 49(1)
Insert:

(1A) A provision of a bilateral agreement does not have any effect in relation to an action in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, unless the agreement expressly provides otherwise.

Note: The heading to section 49 is replaced by the heading "Certain limits on scope of bilateral agreements".

 

12 After section 73
Insert:

 

73A Informing Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority of proposal affecting Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

If:

        (a)   a proposal to take an action is referred to the Minister; and

        (b)   the action, or a component of the action, is to be taken in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park;
the Minister must, as soon as practicable after receiving the referral, give a copy of the referral to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

 

13 Subsection 74(1B)
After "24A,", insert "24B, 24C,".

 

14 Subsection 74(1B) (note)
After "24A,", insert "24B, 24C,".

 

15 After subsection 75(2A)
Insert:

(2AA) For the purposes of subsection (2), if the provision of Part 3 is subsection 24B(1) or 24C(1) or (3), then the impacts of the action on the matter protected by that provision are only those impacts that the part of the action that is taken in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park:

        (a)   has or will have; or

        (b)   is likely to have;
on the matter.

 

16 At the end of section 82
Add:

    (5) For the purposes of subsections (1) and (2), if subsection 24B(1) or 24C(1) or (3) is or would be a controlling provision for the action, then the impacts of the action on the matter protected by that provision are only those impacts that the part of the action that is taken in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park:

        (a)   has or will have; or

        (b)   is likely to have;
on the matter.

 

17 Subsection 83(1) (note 3)
After "areas", insert "or in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park".

 

18 After subsection 97(3)
Insert:

(3A) Tailored guidelines may also provide for the draft report to include information about other certain and likely impacts of the action if:

        (a)   the referral of the proposal to take the action is, because of section 37AB of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975, taken to be an application for a permission for the purposes of that Act; and

        (b)   the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has asked the Minister to ensure that the draft report includes information about those other impacts for the purposes of deciding whether to grant the permission.

 

19 Paragraph 97(4)(a)
After "(3)", insert "or (3A)".

 

20 After subsection 102(3)
Insert:

(3A) Tailored guidelines may also provide for the draft statement to include information about other certain and likely impacts of an action if:

        (a)   the referral of the proposal to take the action is, because of section 37AB of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975, taken to be an application for a permission for the purposes of that Act; and

        (b)   the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has asked the Minister to ensure that the draft statement includes information about those other impacts for the purposes of deciding whether to grant the permission.

 

21 Subsection 102(4)
After "(3)", insert "or (3A)".

 

22 Paragraph 107(3)(b)
Before "may", insert "if subsection (4) or (4A) applies--".

 

23 Subsection 107(4)
Omit "However, the Minister may specify other certain or likely impacts of the action only", substitute "For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), the Minister may specify other certain or likely impacts of the action".

 

24 After subsection 107(4)
Insert:

(4A) For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), the Minister may specify other certain or likely impacts of the action if:

        (a)   the referral of the proposal to take the action is, because of section 37AB of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975, taken to be an application for a permission for the purposes of that Act; and

        (b)   the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has asked the Minister to ensure that the report includes information about those other impacts for the purposes of deciding whether to grant the permission.

 

25 Subsection 158A(1) (at the end of paragraph (h) of the definition of listing event)
Add:

        (v)   the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park;

 

26 Paragraph 231(ba)
Omit "(2) or", substitute "(2),".

 

27 Paragraph 231(ba)
After "or (4)", insert ", 24B(1) or (2) or 24C(1), (3), (5) or (7)".

 

28 Subparagraph 231(bb)(i)
Omit "(2) or", substitute "(2),".

 

29 Subparagraph 231(bb)(i)
After "or (4)", insert ", 24B(1) or (2) or 24C(1), (3), (5) or (7)".

 

30 Subparagraph 231(bc)(i)
Omit "(2) or", substitute "(2),".

 

31 Subparagraph 231(bc)(i)
After "or (4)", insert ", 24B(1) or (2) or 24C(1), (3), (5) or (7)".

 

32 Paragraph 255(c)
After "or (4),", insert "24B(1) or (2) or 24C(1), (3), (5) or (7),".

 

33 Subparagraph 255(d)(i)
After "or (4),", insert "24B(1) or (2) or 24C(1), (3), (5) or (7),".

 

34 Subparagraph 255(da)(i)
After "or (4),", insert "24B(1) or (2) or 24C(1), (3), (5) or (7),".

 

35 At the end of Part 20
Add:

 

515AA Delegation by Minister in relation to Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

    (1) The Minister may, by signed instrument, delegate any or all of his or her powers or functions to which subsection (2) applies to:

        (a)   the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority; or

        (b)   the Chairperson of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority; or

        (c)   a member of the staff of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

    (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), this subsection applies to a power or function if:

        (a)   the exercise of the power or performance of the function relates (including in a way described in subsection 7(1A) of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975) to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park; or

        (b)   the exercise of the power or performance of the function is incidental to a matter that relates (including in a way described in subsection 7(1A) of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975) to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Note: If a power or function is delegated to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority under this section, the Authority may sub-delegate the power or function under section 47 of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975.

    (3) Despite subsection (1), the Minister must not delegate under that subsection a power or function under Part 17 (Enforcement) to a person mentioned in paragraph (1)(c) unless the person:

        (a)   is an SES employee or an acting SES employee; or

        (b)   holds, or is acting in, an Executive Level 1 or 2, or equivalent, position.

    (4) In exercising a power or performing a function under a delegation, the delegate must comply with any directions of the Minister.

    (5) This section does not limit the Minister's power of delegation under section 515.

 

515AB Delegation by Secretary in relation to Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

    (1) The Secretary may, by signed instrument, delegate any or all of his or her powers or functions to which subsection (2) applies to:

        (a)   the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority; or

        (b)   the Chairperson of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority; or

        (c)   a member of the staff of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

    (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), this subsection applies to a power or function if:

        (a)   the exercise of the power or performance of the function relates (including in a way described in subsection 7(1A) of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975) to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park; or

        (b)   the exercise of the power or performance of the function is incidental to a matter that relates (including in a way described in subsection 7(1A) of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975) to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Note: If a power or function is delegated to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority under this section, the Authority may sub-delegate the power or function under section 47 of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975.

    (3) Despite subsection (1), the Secretary must not delegate under that subsection a power or function under Part 17 (Enforcement) to a person mentioned in paragraph (1)(c) unless the person:

        (a)   is an SES employee or an acting SES employee; or

        (b)   holds, or is acting in, an Executive Level 1 or 2, or equivalent, position.

    (4) In exercising a power or performing a function under a delegation, the delegate must comply with any directions of the Secretary.

    (5) This section does not limit the Secretary's power of delegation under section 515.

 

36 Section 528
Insert:

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park means the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park established under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975.

 

37 Section 528
Insert:

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority means the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority established by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975.


Part 2--Amendment of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975

 

38 Subparagraph 7(1)(d)(i)
Omit "by this Act", substitute "under this or any other Act".

 

39 After paragraph 7(1)(d)
Insert:

(daa) to exercise any powers, and perform any functions, relating to the Marine Park that have been delegated to the Authority under this or any other Act;

 

40 Subsection 7(1A)
Omit "or (cd)", substitute ", (cd), (d) or (daa)".

 

41 Section 38
Repeal the section, substitute:

Division 4--Relationship with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

 

37AB Actions affected by the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

    (1) If:

        (a)   a proposal to take an action is referred to the Minister under Division 1 of Part 7 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999; and

        (b)   the action, or a component of the action, involves doing a thing that would be an offence against this Act if done without a permission under the regulations;
the referral is taken to be an application made in accordance with the regulations for that permission.

Note: A subsequent decision under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 that the action is not a controlled action does not affect an application that is taken to have been made because of subsection (1).

    (2) The Authority, or an agency that has responsibility under a zoning plan for granting permissions, must not grant a person permission under the regulations to do a thing if:

        (a)   the thing is, or is part of, an action that is a controlled action for the purposes of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999; and

        (b)   the Minister has not decided under Part 9 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to approve the taking of the action by the person for the purposes of each provision that is, for the purposes of that Act, a controlling provision for the action.

 

37AC Great Barrier Reef Region not to be reserved under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

The Governor-General must not make a Proclamation under section 344 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 declaring an area in the Great Barrier Reef Region to be a Commonwealth reserve under that Act.


Part 3--Transitional, application and saving provisions

 

42 Application of amendments
(1) The amendments made by this Schedule do not apply in relation to an action that is an exempt action under this item.

    (2) An action is an exempt action if, immediately before the amendments commenced, an approval to take the action was in operation under Part 9 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

    (3) An action is an exempt action if, immediately before the amendments commenced:

        (a)   a person was taking the action; and

        (b)   Part 4 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 let the person take the action without an approval under Part 9 of that Act.

    (4) An action is an exempt action if, immediately before the amendments commenced:

        (a)   there was in force a decision of the Minister under Division 2 of Part 7 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 that the action is not a controlled action; and

        (b)   the action was not an action the taking of which would be an offence under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 if taken without a permission having been granted under regulations made under that Act.

    (5) An action that was the subject of an active referral (see item 43) at the time the amendments commenced is an exempt action:

        (a)   from the time the amendments commence until the time the action ceases to be the subject of an active referral; and

        (b)   if the action ceases to be the subject of an active referral because an approval of the taking of the action starts to operate under Part 9 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 as a result of the referral--for so long as the approval is in operation.

    (6) An action that was the subject of an active application (see item 44) at the time the amendments commenced is an exempt action:

        (a)   from the time the amendments commenced until the time the action ceases to be the subject of an active application; and

        (b)   if the action ceases to be the subject of an active application because a permission to take the action is granted in accordance with regulations made under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 as a result of the application--for so long as the permission has effect.

 

43 Actions that are the subject of an active referral
For the purposes of subitem 42(5), an action is, at any particular time, the subject of an active referral if, at that time:

        (a)   a proposal to take the action has been referred to the Minister under Division 1 of Part 7 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999; and

        (b)   the referral has not been withdrawn under section 170C of that Act; and

        (c)   the Minister has not decided under subsection 74A(1) of that Act not to accept the referral; and

        (d)   provisions of Chapter 4 of that Act are not stopped by Division 1A of Part 7 of that Act from applying in relation to the referral; and

        (e)   provisions of Chapter 4 of that Act are not stopped by section 155 of that Act from applying because of the referral in relation to the action (or a larger action of which the action is a component); and

        (f)   the Minister has not decided that the action (or a larger action of which the action is a component) is not a controlled action for the purposes of that Act; and

        (g)   no decision is in operation under Part 9 of that Act approving or not approving the taking of the action (or a larger action of which the action is a component).

 

44 Actions that are the subject of an active application
For the purposes of subitem 42(6), an action is, at any particular time, the subject of an active application if, at that time:

        (a)   an application for permission to take the action has been made in accordance with regulations made under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975; and

        (b)   the application has not been withdrawn; and

        (c)   the application has not been rejected; and

        (d)   the application has not lapsed; and

        (e)   the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has neither granted nor refused the permission.


Schedule 5--Investigation and enforcement
Part 1--Amendment of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

 

1 Paragraph 397(1)(b)
Omit "section 43", substitute "subsection 43(1)".

 

2 Subsection 399(1)
Omit ", (except a member of a police force or an officer of Customs),".

 

3 After subsection 399(1)
Insert:

(1A) Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to an inspector who is:

        (a)   a member of a police force; or

        (b)   an inspector by force of paragraph 397(1)(b); or

        (c)   an officer of Customs.

 

4 At the end of section 399
Add:

    (4) For the purposes of this Act, a requirement for a person who is an inspector by force of paragraph 397(1)(b) to produce his or her identity card is satisfied if the person shows his or her identity card issued under section 45 of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975.

 

5 After Subdivision BA of Division 1 of Part 17
Insert:

Subdivision BB--Exercise of powers of authorised officers in relation to Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

 

399B Certain powers to be exercised only by certain authorised officers

    (1) The powers of an authorised officer in relation to:

        (a)   an offence against an environmental law that is the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 or regulations made under that Act; or

        (b)   an environmental penalty provision that is a civil penalty provision of that Act; or

        (c)   a thing that may be done for the purposes of that Act;
may only be exercised by an authorised officer who is an inspector by force of paragraph 397(1)(a) or (b).

    (2) To avoid doubt, an authorised officer who is an inspector by force of paragraph 397(1)(a) or (b) and also by force of paragraph 397(1)(c) is an authorised officer who may exercise the powers referred to in subsection (1).

 

6 Subsection 403(2)
Omit "this Act or the regulations, in relation to a contravention of a civil penalty provision", substitute "an environmental law, in relation to a contravention of an environmental penalty provision".

 

7 Subsection 403(3)
Omit "this Act or the regulations", substitute "an environmental law".

 

8 Paragraph 403(4)(a)
Omit "this Act or the regulations", substitute "an environmental law".

 

9 Subsection 403(5)
Repeal the subsection, substitute:

    (5) An authorised officer may, for the purposes of this Act or the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (other than Part VIIA of that Act (compulsory pilotage)), require the person in charge of a vehicle, vessel, aircraft or platform to which this section applies to give information concerning any or all of the following:

        (a)   the vehicle, vessel, aircraft or platform;

        (b)   the crew or any other person on board the vehicle, vessel, aircraft or platform;

        (c)   in the case of a vessel--any dory being operated in association with the vessel;

        (d)   in the case of a vessel--any person operating a dory in association with the vessel.

 

10 After subsection 403(5B)
Insert:

(5C) A reference in this section to an offence against an environmental law does not include an offence against Part VIIA of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (compulsory pilotage).

 

11 Paragraph 406(1)(b)
Omit "this Act or the regulations, in relation to a contravention of a civil penalty provision", substitute "an environmental law, in relation to a contravention of an environmental penalty provision".

 

12 Subparagraph 406(1)(ba)(iv)
Omit "this Act or the regulations, in relation to a contravention of a civil penalty provision", substitute "an environmental law, in relation to a contravention of an environmental penalty provision".

 

13 Paragraph 406(1)(c)
Omit "this Act or the regulations, in relation to a contravention of a civil penalty provision", substitute "an environmental law, in relation to a contravention of an environmental penalty provision".

 

14 Paragraph 406(2)(a)
Omit "the Act or the regulations", substitute "an environmental law".

 

15 Paragraph 406(2)(b)
Omit "a civil penalty provision", substitute "an environmental penalty provision".

 

16 Paragraph 406(2)(b)
Omit "the civil penalty provision" (wherever occurring), substitute "the environmental penalty provision".

 

17 Subsections 406A(4), (5) and (6)
Repeal the subsections.

 

18 After section 406A
Insert:

 

406AA Taking things into possession

    (1) This section applies if, in conducting a search referred to in paragraph 406(1)(a) or (ba), an authorised officer or a person who conducts a search because of subsection 406A(2) finds:

        (a)   an eligible seizable item; or

        (b)   a thing that may be evidential material in relation to an offence against an environmental law, in relation to a contravention of an environmental penalty provision or in relation to both.

    (2) An authorised officer may:

        (a)   take possession of the item or thing; and

        (b)   keep the item or thing for so long as he or she thinks necessary for the purposes of this Act or the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975.

    (3) A person who conducts a search because of subsection 406A(2) must take possession of the item or thing and give it to an authorised officer.

    (4) An authorised officer who is given an item or thing under subsection (3) may keep it for so long as he or she thinks necessary for the purposes of this Act or the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975.

    (5) If:

        (a)   an authorised officer is keeping an item or thing under subsection (2) or (4); and

        (b)   the item or thing was found in conducting a search of a person under paragraph 406(1)(ba); and

        (c)   the person is detained under Schedule 1;
the authorised officer may continue to keep the item or thing for so long as he or she thinks necessary for the purposes of this Act, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 or the Migration Act 1958.

Note: Once the person ceases to be detained under Schedule 1, the person will generally need to be detained under the Migration Act 1958 while he or she is in the migration zone (because his or her enforcement visa under that Act will cease to have effect). Subsection (5) ensures the officer can keep the item or thing while the person is detained under this Act or that Act.

 

19 Section 406B
Omit "406A", substitute "406AA".

 

20 Subsection 407A(12) (paragraph (b) of the definition of relevant material)
Omit "this Act or the regulations", substitute "an environmental law".

 

21 Subsections 408(1) and (2) and 409(2)
Omit "this Act or the regulations", substitute "an environmental law".

 

22 Subsections 413(1) and (2)
Omit "this Act or the regulations, in relation to a contravention of a civil penalty provision", substitute "an environmental law, in relation to a contravention of an environmental penalty provision".

 

23 Paragraph 414(1)(a)
Omit "civil", substitute "environmental".

 

24 Subparagraph 414(2)(a)(i)
Omit "a civil", substitute "an environmental".

 

25 Subparagraph 414(2)(a)(ii)
Omit "another offence against this Act", substitute "another offence against an environmental law".

 

26 Subparagraph 414(2)(a)(iii)
Omit "a civil", substitute "an environmental".

 

27 Paragraph 414(2)(a)
Omit "committing an offence against this Act or the regulations or in contravening a civil penalty provision", substitute "committing an offence against an environmental law or in contravening an environmental penalty provision".

 

28 Subparagraph 414(2)(b)(i)
Omit "this Act or the regulations, in relation to a contravention of a civil penalty provision", substitute "an environmental law, in relation to a contravention of an environmental penalty provision".

 

29 Subparagraph 414(4)(a)(i)
Omit "a civil", substitute "an environmental".

 

30 Subparagraph 414(4)(a)(ii)
Omit "another offence against this Act", substitute "another offence against an environmental law".

 

31 Subparagraph 414(4)(a)(iii)
Omit "a civil", substitute "an environmental".

 

32 Paragraph 414(4)(a)
Omit "committing an offence against this Act or the regulations or in contravening a civil penalty provision", substitute "committing an offence against an environmental law or in contravening an environmental penalty provision".

 

33 Subparagraph 417(1)(d)(i)
Omit "a civil", substitute "an environmental".

 

34 Subparagraph 417(1)(d)(ii)
Omit "another offence against this Act", substitute "another offence against an environmental law".

 

35 Subparagraph 417(1)(d)(iii)
Omit "a civil", substitute "an environmental".

 

36 Paragraph 417(1)(d)
Omit "committing an offence against this Act or the regulations or in contravening a civil penalty provision", substitute "committing an offence against an environmental law or in contravening an environmental penalty provision".

 

37 Subparagraph 417(1)(f)(i)
Omit "this Act or the regulations, in relation to a contravention of a civil penalty provision", substitute "an environmental law, in relation to a contravention of an environmental penalty provision".

 

38 Subparagraph 417(2)(c)(i)
Omit "a civil", substitute "an environmental".

 

39 Subparagraph 417(2)(c)(ii)
Omit "another offence against this Act", substitute "another offence against an environmental law".

 

40 Subparagraph 417(2)(c)(iii)
Omit "a civil", substitute "an environmental".

 

41 Paragraph 417(2)(c)
Omit "committing an offence against this Act or the regulations or in contravening a civil penalty provision", substitute "committing an offence against an environmental law or in contravening an environmental penalty provision".

 

42 Subsections 422(1) and (2)
Omit "this Act or the regulations, in relation to a contravention of a civil penalty provision", substitute "an environmental law, in relation to a contravention of an environmental penalty provision".

 

43 Paragraph 422(4)(a)
Omit "this Act or the regulations, in relation to a contravention of a civil penalty provision", substitute "an environmental law, in relation to a contravention of an environmental penalty provision".

 

44 Paragraph 430(1)(a)
Omit "this Act or the regulations", substitute "an environmental law".

 

45 At the end of section 430
Add:

    (4) A reference in this section to an offence against an environmental law does not include an offence against Part VIIA of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (compulsory pilotage).

 

46 Section 431
Omit "this Act or the regulations", substitute "an environmental law".

 

47 Section 432
Omit "this Act or the regulations" (wherever occurring), substitute "an environmental law".

 

48 Paragraph 432(aa)
Omit "a civil", substitute "an environmental".

 

49 Section 433
Omit "this Act or the regulations" (wherever occurring), substitute "an environmental law".

 

50 Paragraph 433(aa)
Omit "a civil", substitute "an environmental".

 

51 Subsection 444(1)
Omit "this Act or the regulations", substitute "an environmental law".

 

52 Subdivision A of Division 10 of Part 17 (heading)
Repeal the heading, substitute:

Subdivision AB--Seizure of things (other than specimens involved in a contravention of Part 13A)

 

53 Subsection 445(1)
Omit "this Act or the regulations, in relation to contravention of a civil penalty provision", substitute "an environmental law, in relation to a contravention of an environmental penalty provision".

 

54 After subsection 445(3)
Insert:

(3A) A reference in this section to an offence against an environmental law does not include an offence against Part VIIA of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (compulsory pilotage).

 

55 Paragraph 446(3)(a)
Omit "this Act or the regulations has been committed, or whether a civil penalty provision", substitute "an environmental law has been committed, or whether an environmental penalty provision".

 

56 Paragraph 446(3)(b)
Omit "this Act or the regulations, or of a contravention of a civil penalty provision", substitute "an environmental law, or of a contravention of an environmental penalty provision".

 

57 After Subdivision A of Division 10 of Part 17
Insert:

Subdivision AC--Direction to deliver seizable items

 

447 Direction to deliver seizable items

    (1) An authorised officer may direct a person to deliver to the officer, or to another person specified in the direction, a thing that the officer is authorised to seize under a warrant issued under Division 4 or under section 445.

    (2) The direction must:

        (a)   be in writing; and

        (b)   be given to the person who is directed to deliver the thing, who must be:

        (i)   if the thing is a vessel--the person in charge of the vessel, or the vessel's owner; or

        (ii)   if the thing is an aircraft--the person in charge of the aircraft; or

(iii) otherwise--the person in possession of the thing; and

        (c)   specify the place at which the delivery is to occur; and

        (d)   specify the period within which the delivery is to occur.

    (3) A person must not fail to comply with a direction under this section.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 12 months or 60 penalty units, or both.

    (4) This Part applies to a thing delivered in compliance with a direction under this section as if the thing had been seized under the warrant or section that authorised the officer to seize the thing.

    (5) A direction made under subsection (1) is not a legislative instrument.

 

58 Section 449BA
Before "If", insert "(1)".

 

59 At the end of section 449BA
Add:

    (2) A person commits an offence if:

        (a)   a thing is released to the person under subsection (1) subject to a condition; and

        (b)   the person engages in conduct; and

        (c)   the conduct contravenes the condition.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 12 months or 60 penalty units, or both.

    (3) Absolute liability applies to paragraph (2)(a).

Note: For absolute liability, see section 6.2 of the Criminal Code.

 

60 Subsection 450(1)
Omit "this Act or the regulations", substitute "an environmental law".

 

61 Subsection 450(2)
Omit "406A", substitute "406AA".

 

62 Subparagraph 450(3)(b)(i)
Omit "this Act or the regulations", substitute "an environmental law".

 

63 Paragraph 450(3)(c)
Omit "this Act or the regulations", substitute "an environmental law".

 

64 At the end of section 450
Add:

    (4) A reference in this section to an offence against an environmental law does not include an offence against Part VIIA of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (compulsory pilotage).

 

65 Subsection 450A(1)
Omit "this Act or the regulations", substitute "an environmental law".

 

66 Subparagraph 450A(2)(b)(i)
Omit "this Act or the regulations", substitute "an environmental law".

 

67 Paragraph 450A(2)(c)
Omit "this Act or the regulations", substitute "an environmental law".

 

68 At the end of section 450A
Add:

    (3) A reference in this section to an offence against an environmental law does not include an offence against Part VIIA of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (compulsory pilotage).

 

69 Paragraphs 456(a) and (b)
Omit "this Act", substitute "an environmental law".

 

70 Paragraph 486E(1)(a)
Omit "this Act or the regulations", substitute "an environmental law".

 

71 Paragraph 486E(1)(b)
Omit "a civil", substitute "an environmental".

 

72 Subsection 486E(2) (definition of official)
Repeal the definition, substitute:

official means any of the following:

        (a)   the Minister;

        (b)   an officer or employee in the Department;

        (c)   the Director;

        (d)   the Chairperson of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority;

        (e)   a member of the staff of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

 

73 Paragraph 486H(a)
Omit "this Act or the regulations", substitute "an environmental law".

 

74 Paragraph 486H(b)
Omit "a civil", substitute "an environmental".

 

75 Section 528
Insert:

dory means:

        (a)   a vessel in relation to which a licence or other permission (however described and whether or not in force) has been granted under a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory authorising the vessel to be used in association with a primary commercial fishing vessel; or

        (b)   a vessel that is used in association with a primary commercial fishing vessel.

Note: A dory might also be known as a tender commercial fishing vessel.

 

76 Section 528
Insert:

environmental law means:

        (a)   this Act; or

        (b)   the regulations; or

        (c)   the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975; or

        (d)   regulations made under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975.

 

77 Section 528
Insert:

environmental penalty provision means:

        (a)   a civil penalty provision under this Act; or

        (b)   a civil penalty provision under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975.

 

78 Section 528
Insert:

primary commercial fishing vessel means:

        (a)   a vessel in relation to which a licence or other permission (however described and whether or not in force) has been granted under a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory authorising the vessel to be used to take fish for commercial purposes; or

        (b)   a vessel that is used to take fish for commercial purposes.

 

79 Subclause 8(1) of Schedule 1
Omit "this Act or the regulations", substitute "an environmental law".

 

80 Subclause 10(1) of Schedule 1
Omit "this Act or the regulations", substitute "an environmental law".

 

81 Subparagraph 15(2)(b)(i) of Schedule 1
Omit "this Act or the regulations", substitute "an environmental law".

 

82 Paragraph 15(3)(b) of Schedule 1
After "this Act", insert ", the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975".

 

83 Subparagraph 17(3)(c)(i) of Schedule 1
After "the Director,", insert "the Chairperson of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority".

 

84 Paragraph 19(1)(a) of Schedule 1
Omit "this Act or the regulations", substitute "an environmental law".

 

85 Paragraph 26(3)(f) of Schedule 1
Omit "this Act or the regulations", substitute "an environmental law".

 

86 Paragraph 38(3)(b) of Schedule 1
After "the Director", insert ", the Chairperson of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority".

 

87 Subclause 38(4) of Schedule 1
After "Director", insert ", Chairperson".


Part 2--Amendment of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975

 

88 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

civil penalty provision has the meaning given by section 61AID.

 

89 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

class vessel monitoring direction has the meaning given by subsection 61AAA(7).

 

90 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

declaration of contravention means a declaration made under section 61AIA.

 

91 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

emergency direction has the meaning given by subsection 61ACA(2).

 

92 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

enforceable direction has the meaning given by subsection 61ADA(2).

 

93 Subsection 3(1) (definition of evidential material)
Repeal the definition.

 

94 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

executive officer, of a body corporate, means a person, by whatever name called and whether or not a director of the body, who is concerned in, or takes part in, the management of the body.

 

95 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

Federal Court means the Federal Court of Australia.

 

96 Subsection 3(1) (definition of frisk search)
Repeal the definition.

 

97 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

individual vessel monitoring direction has the meaning given by subsection 61AAA(2).

 

98 Subsection 3(1) (paragraph (a) of the definition of inspector)
Omit "section 43", substitute "subsection 43(1)".

 

99 Subsection 3(1) (definition of ordinary search)
Repeal the definition.

 

100 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

pecuniary penalty order means an order referred to in subsection 61AIC(2).

 

101 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

penalty unit has the meaning given by section 4AA of the Crimes Act 1914.

 

102 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

remediation order has the meaning given by subsection 61AHA(1).

 

103 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

reviewable decision has the meaning given by subsection 64(3).

 

104 Subsection 3(1) (definition of seizable item)
Repeal the definition.

 

105 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

vessel monitoring direction means an individual vessel monitoring direction or a class vessel monitoring direction.

 

106 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

vessel monitoring system means a system in which vessels are fitted with an electronic device that can provide information about the vessels' course or position, or other such information.

 

107 Subsection 3(10)
Repeal the subsection, substitute:

    (10) If the owner of a vessel does not operate the vessel, a reference in this Act to the owner of the vessel includes a reference to a person who is a party to an agreement with the owner under which the person, or the person and the owner, may determine the activities for which the vessel is used.

 

108 At the end of subsection 4(1A)
Add "or to be subject to civil proceedings for a contravention of a civil penalty provision".

 

109 Section 4A (note 1)
Omit "subsection 64(8)", substitute "subsection 61ANA(8)".

 

110 Division 3 of Part V (heading)
Repeal the heading, substitute:

Division 3--Duty to prevent or minimise harm to environment in Marine Park

 

37AA Duty to prevent or minimise harm to environment in Marine Park

    (1) A person who uses or enters the Marine Park must take all reasonable steps to prevent or minimise harm to the environment in the Marine Park that might or will be caused by the person's use or entry.

Note: The Minister may accept an enforceable undertaking under section 61ABA, or make an enforceable direction under section 61ADA, in relation to a contravention of this duty.

    (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), harm includes the following:

        (a)   any adverse effect;

        (b)   direct or indirect harm;

        (c)   harm to which the person's use or entry has contributed, to any extent (whether or not other matters have contributed to the harm).

    (3) In determining whether all reasonable steps have been taken, have regard to the following:

        (a)   the nature of the harm to the environment that might or will result from the person's use or entry;

        (b)   the risk of harm from the person's use or entry;

        (c)   the sensitivity of the environment that might or will be affected by the person's use or entry;

        (d)   if the person is using or entering a zone--any objectives specified for the zone in its zoning plan;

        (e)   the practicalities, including cost, of steps that will prevent or minimise the harm;

        (f)   whether or not the person's use or entry complies with the laws applying in the Marine Park in relation to the environment or natural resources;

        (g)   whether or not the person's use or entry complies with any relevant code of practice, standard or guideline;

        (h)   whether or not the person's use or entry is in accordance with any conditions of a permission granted under the regulations for the purposes of a zoning plan or a provision of this Act.

 

111 Section 39I
Repeal the section.

 

112 Subsections 39K(4) and 39PA(3)
Repeal the subsections.

 

113 Subsection 39S(4)
Repeal the subsection, substitute:

    (4) If an inspector (other than a member of a police force who is in uniform) stops or detains an aircraft or vessel under subsection (1), the inspector must produce for inspection by the person in charge of the aircraft or vessel:

        (a)   if the inspector is a member of a police force--written evidence of the fact that the inspector is a member of that police force; or

        (b)   in any other case--the inspector's identity card.

    (5) An inspector who does not comply with subsection (4) is not authorised to search or detain the aircraft or vessel.

 

114 After subsection 39T(1)
Insert:

(1A) An inspector is not entitled to enter premises under subsection (1), or exercise any powers referred to in subsection (3) in relation to an entry under subsection (1), if:

        (a)   the occupier of the premises has required the inspector to produce written identification for inspection by the occupier; and

        (b)   the inspector fails to produce:

        (i)   if the inspector is a member of a police force--written evidence of the fact that the inspector is a member of that police force; or

        (ii)   in any other case--the inspector's identity card for inspection by the occupier.

 

115 After subsection 39T(2)
Insert:

(2A) If an inspector is executing a warrant under subsection (2) and the occupier of the premises, or another person who apparently represents the occupier, is present, the inspector must:

        (a)   identify himself or herself to that person; and

        (b)   make available to that person a copy of the warrant (which need not be signed).

 

116 Subsection 39T(5)
Insert:

occupier of premises means the person apparently in charge of the premises.

 

117 Section 42
Repeal the section.

 

118 Section 43
Before "The", insert "(1)".

 

119 At the end of section 43
Add:

; and (c) specify the powers that the person may exercise as an inspector under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Note: Inspectors have powers under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to enforce this Act.

    (2) Despite paragraph (1)(a), the Authority must not appoint an officer or employee of an Agency (within the meaning of the Public Service Act 1999) that is not the Department or the Authority to be an inspector unless:

        (a)   an arrangement in respect of the officer or employee is in force under subsection 43A(1); and

        (b)   the powers specified for the officer or employee for the purposes of paragraphs (1)(b) and (c) are limited in a way that is consistent with any limitation set out in the arrangement.

    (3) Despite paragraph (1)(a), the Authority must not appoint an officer or employee of a Commonwealth authority (within the meaning of the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997) to be an inspector unless:

        (a)   an arrangement in respect of the officer or employee is in force under subsection 43A(2); and

        (b)   the powers specified for the officer or employee for the purposes of paragraphs (1)(b) and (c) are limited in a way that is consistent with any limitation set out in the arrangement.

    (4) Despite paragraph (1)(a), the Authority must not appoint:

        (a)   an officer or employee of Queensland or of an authority of Queensland (including a local government body); or

        (b)   a member of the police force of Queensland;
to be an inspector unless:

        (c)   an arrangement in respect of the officer, employee or member is in force under subsection 43A(3); and

        (d)   the powers specified for the officer, employee or member for the purposes of paragraphs (1)(b) and (c) are limited in a way that is consistent with any limitation set out in the arrangement.

 

120 After section 43
Insert:

 

43A Arrangements for certain persons to be inspectors
Arrangements with Agency Heads

    (1) The Authority may enter into an arrangement with an Agency Head (within the meaning of the Public Service Act 1999) for officers or employees of the Agency Head's Agency (within the meaning of the Public Service Act 1999) to be appointed as inspectors under subsection 43(1) of this Act.

Note: An arrangement must be in force before an officer or employee can be appointed as an inspector (except for employees of the Department and the Authority) (see subsection 43(2)).

Arrangements with Commonwealth authorities

    (2) The Authority may enter into an arrangement with a Commonwealth authority (within the meaning of the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997) for officers or employees of the authority to be appointed as inspectors under subsection 43(1) of this Act.

Note: An arrangement must be in force before an officer or employee can be appointed as an inspector (see subsection 43(3)).

Arrangements with Queensland

    (3) The Minister may enter into an arrangement with the appropriate Minister of Queensland for:

        (a)   officers or employees of Queensland or of an authority of Queensland (including a local government body); or

        (b)   members of the police force of Queensland;
to be appointed as inspectors under subsection 43(1) of this Act.

Note: An arrangement must be in force before an officer, employee or member can be appointed as an inspector (see subsection 43(4)).

Limits on powers

    (4) An arrangement under this section for persons to be appointed as inspectors may specify that the persons' powers as inspectors are to be limited in the way set out in the arrangement.

 

121 At the end of section 44
Add:

Note: Inspectors have powers under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to enforce this Act.

 

122 Sections 45A to 48A
Repeal the sections, substitute:

 

46 Delegation by Minister

    (1) The Minister may, by signed writing, delegate to the Authority any or all of the Minister's powers or functions under this Act, other than a power or function under:

        (a)   subsection 31(4) or (5); or

        (b)   subsection 34(4), (7) or (8); or

        (c)   subsection 35C(2), (5) or (6); or

        (d)   subsection 37(2) or (4); or

        (e)   subsection 37A(1); or

        (f)   subsection 54(4); or

        (g)   paragraph 61ACA(4)(a); or

        (h)   section 61ADE.

    (2) In exercising a power or performing a function under the delegation, the Authority must comply with any directions of the Minister.

 

47 Delegation by Authority

    (1) The Authority may, by writing under its common seal, delegate any or all of its powers or functions under this Act to any of the following:

        (a)   the Chairperson;

        (b)   an employee of the Department or of the Authority;

        (c)   an officer or employee of an Agency (within the meaning of the Public Service Act 1999) in respect of whom an arrangement is in force under subsection 48A(1);

        (d)   an officer or employee of a Commonwealth authority (within the meaning of the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997) in respect of whom an arrangement is in force under subsection 48A(2);

        (e)   an officer or employee of Queensland, or of an authority of Queensland (including a local government body), in respect of whom an arrangement is in force under subsection 48A(3).

    (2) The Authority may, by writing under its common seal, sub-delegate to a person mentioned in subsection (1) a power or function delegated to the Authority under this or any other Act.

    (3) Despite subsection (1) or (2), the Authority must not delegate or sub-delegate under that subsection a power or function under Part VAA (Offences and penalties) or Part VIII (Enforcement) of this Act or under Part 17 (Enforcement) of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to a person mentioned in paragraph (1)(b), (c), (d) or (e) unless the person:

        (a)   is an SES employee or an acting SES employee; or

        (b)   holds, or is acting in, an Executive Level 1 or 2, or equivalent, position; or

        (c)   is of equivalent rank to an APS employee who:

        (i)   is an SES employee or acting SES employee; or

        (ii)   holds, or is acting in, an Executive Level 1 or 2, or equivalent, position.

    (4) Sections 34AA, 34AB and 34A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 apply to a sub-delegation under subsection (2) in the same way as they apply to a delegation.

    (5) In exercising powers or performing functions under a delegation, the delegate must comply with any directions of the Authority.

    (6) In exercising powers or performing functions under a sub-delegation, the sub-delegate must comply with any directions of the Authority.

    (7) If the Authority is subject to a direction in relation to the exercise of a power or the performance of a function sub-delegated under this section, the Authority must give a corresponding direction to the sub-delegate.

 

48 Delegation by Chairperson

    (1) The Chairperson may, by signed writing, sub-delegate a power or function delegated to the Chairperson under this or any other Act to a member of the staff of the Authority. However, this subsection does not allow the Chairperson to sub-delegate a power or function that has been sub-delegated to the Chairperson.

    (2) Despite subsection (1), the Chairperson must not sub-delegate under that subsection a power or function under Part VAA (Offences and penalties) or Part VIII (Enforcement) of this Act or under Part 17 (Enforcement) of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 unless the member of staff:

        (i)   is an SES employee or an acting SES employee; or

        (ii)   holds, or is acting in, an Executive Level 1 or 2, or equivalent, position.6666

    (3) Sections 34AA, 34AB and 34A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 apply to a sub-delegation under subsection (1) in the same way as they apply to a delegation.

    (4) In exercising powers or performing functions under a sub-delegation, the sub-delegate must comply with any directions of the Chairperson.

    (5) If the Chairperson is subject to a direction in relation to the exercise of a power or the performance of a function sub-delegated under this section, the Chairperson must give a corresponding direction to the sub-delegate.

 

48A Arrangements for certain delegations
Arrangements with Agency Heads

    (1) The Authority may enter into an arrangement with an Agency Head (within the meaning of the Public Service Act 1999) in relation to officers or employees of the Agency Head's Agency (within the meaning of the Public Service Act 1999) for the purposes of allowing powers or functions to be delegated or sub-delegated under section 47 to the officers or employees.

Note: An arrangement must be in force before a power or function can be delegated to an officer or employee, except for employees of the Department and the Authority (see paragraphs 47(1)(b) and (c)).

Arrangements with Commonwealth authorities

    (2) The Authority may enter into an arrangement with a Commonwealth authority (within the meaning of the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997) in relation to officers or employees of the authority for the purposes of allowing powers or functions to be delegated or sub-delegated under section 47 to the officers or employees.

Note: An arrangement must be in force before a power or function can be delegated to an officer or employee (see paragraph 47(1)(d)).

Arrangements with Queensland

    (3) The Minister may enter into an arrangement with an appropriate Minister of Queensland in relation to officers or employees of Queensland or of an authority of Queensland (including a local government body) for the purposes of allowing powers or functions to be delegated or sub-delegated under section 47 to the officers or employees.

Note: An arrangement must be in force before a power or function can be delegated to an officer or employee (see paragraph 47(1)(e)).

 

123 Paragraph 53(2)(a)
Omit "61A(4)", substitute "46(2)".

 

124 Part VIII (heading)
Repeal the heading, substitute:

Part VIII--Enforcement

 

125 Section 61
Repeal the section, substitute:

Division 1--Enforcement powers
Subdivision A--Vessel monitoring directions

 

61AAA Making vessel monitoring directions
Application of this section

    (1) This section applies in relation to a vessel that is required by a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory to be equipped with a vessel monitoring system.

Directions for individual vessels

    (2) The Authority may, in writing, make a direction (an individual vessel monitoring direction) requiring one of the persons responsible, or one of the kinds of persons responsible, for a particular vessel to provide the Authority, or cause the Authority to be provided, with the information specified for the vessel in the direction (which must be information of a kind provided by the vessel monitoring system in relation to the operation of the vessel in the Marine Park).

Note: For responsible, see subsection (10).

    (3) A copy of an individual vessel monitoring direction must be given to the person, or each of the persons, to whom it applies.

    (4) An individual vessel monitoring direction:

        (a)   takes effect:

        (i)   on the day (if any) specified in the direction (which must not be earlier than the day on which a copy of the direction is first given to a person to whom it applies); or

        (ii)   if no day is specified--on the day on which a copy of the direction is first given to a person to whom it applies; and

        (b)   continues in effect for the period specified in the direction.

    (5) The Authority may vary or revoke an individual vessel monitoring direction:

        (a)   in the same manner as an individual vessel monitoring direction may be made; and

        (b)   subject to the same conditions as apply to the making of an individual vessel monitoring direction.

    (6) An individual vessel monitoring direction is not a legislative instrument.

Directions for classes of vessels

    (7) The Authority may, by legislative instrument, make a direction (a class vessel monitoring direction) requiring one of the kinds of persons responsible for a vessel belonging to a particular class of vessels to provide the Authority, or cause the Authority to be provided, with the information specified for the vessel in the direction (which must be information of a kind provided by the vessel monitoring system in relation to the operation of the vessel in the Marine Park).

Note: For responsible, see subsection (10).

    (8) The Authority may vary or revoke a class vessel monitoring direction:

        (a)   in the same manner as a class vessel monitoring direction may be made; and

        (b)   subject to the same conditions as apply to the making of a class vessel monitoring direction.

Content of individual and class vessel monitoring directions

    (9) A vessel monitoring direction may require the specified information to be provided:

        (a)   before the end of a specified period; or

        (b)   at specified intervals, either during a specified period or indefinitely; or

        (c)   continuously, either during a specified period or indefinitely; or

        (d)   in any other way the Authority considers appropriate.

Persons responsible for a vessel

    (10) For the purposes of subsections (2) and (7), each of the following persons is responsible for a vessel:

        (a)   an owner of the vessel;

        (b)   a person who, under a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory, holds a licence or other permission (however described and including one that is suspended) in relation to the vessel that requires the vessel to be fitted with a vessel monitoring system;

        (c)   a person specified in the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph.

 

61AAB Use and disclosure of vessel monitoring information

    (1) This section applies in relation to information that was obtained by the Authority under a vessel monitoring direction and was not publicly available at the time the Authority obtained it.

    (2) The Authority must not disclose the information unless the disclosure is for one or more of the following purposes:

        (a)   administering this Act, including performing duties or functions, or exercising powers, under this Act;

        (b)   managing the Marine Park;

        (c)   proceedings in relation to enforcement of this Act, including proceedings:

        (i)   for an injunction; or

        (ii)   by way of prosecution for an offence; or

(iii) for the making of a declaration of contravention of a civil penalty provision; or

        (iv)   for the making of a pecuniary penalty order; or

        (v)   for the making of any other court order in relation to an instrument made under this Act;

        (d)   other law enforcement purposes;

        (e)   matters relating to reconsideration or review of a decision made under this Act;

        (f)   a purpose for which the information is required by law to be disclosed.

 

61AAC Failure to comply with vessel monitoring direction: offence

    (1) A person commits an offence if:

        (a)   the person is a kind of person responsible (within the meaning of subsection 61AAA(10)) for a vessel; and

        (b)   a vessel monitoring direction applies for the vessel; and

        (c)   the direction applies to the person, or to that kind of person; and

        (d)   if the direction is an individual vessel monitoring direction--a copy of the direction has been given to the person; and

        (e)   the direction is not complied with.

Penalty: 500 penalty units.

    (2) Strict liability applies to paragraphs (1)(a) and (d).

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

    (3) Absolute liability applies to paragraphs (1)(b) and (c).

Note: For absolute liability, see section 6.2 of the Criminal Code.

 

61AAD Failure to comply with vessel monitoring direction: civil penalty provision

If:

        (a)   a person is a kind of person responsible (within the meaning of subsection 61AAA(10)) for a vessel; and

        (b)   a vessel monitoring direction applies for the vessel; and

        (c)   the direction applies to the person, or to that kind of person; and

        (d)   if the direction is an individual vessel monitoring direction--a copy of the direction has been given to the person;
the person contravenes this section if the direction is not complied with.

Civil penalty:

        (a)   for an individual--250 penalty units; or

        (b)   for a body corporate--2,500 penalty units.

Subdivision B--Enforceable undertakings

 

61ABA Acceptance of undertaking

    (1) This section applies if the Minister considers that a person has contravened:

        (a)   the duty in section 37AA to prevent or minimise harm to the environment in the Marine Park; or

        (b)   a civil penalty provision.

    (2) The Minister may accept a written undertaking given by the person in relation to the contravention, in which the person undertakes to do any or all of the following:

        (a)   take specified actions to prevent, repair or mitigate harm of a specified kind in the Great Barrier Reef Region;

        (b)   take specified actions to ensure that the person does not engage, or is unlikely to engage, in conduct that contravenes the duty in section 37AA or a civil penalty provision;

        (c)   pay a specified amount to the Commonwealth, to be used for the purpose of taking actions referred to in paragraph (a) or (b).

    (3) The undertaking must be expressed to be an undertaking under this section.

    (4) The person may withdraw or vary the undertaking at any time, but only with the consent of the Minister.

    (5) The Minister may, by notice in writing given to the person, cancel the undertaking.

    (6) The undertaking may be published on either or both of the following:

        (a)   the website of the Authority;

        (b)   the website of the Department.

 

61ABB Enforcement of undertaking

    (1) If:

        (a)   a person has given an undertaking under section 61ABA; and

        (b)   the undertaking has not been withdrawn or cancelled; and

        (c)   the Minister considers that the person has breached the undertaking;
the Minister may apply to the Federal Court for an order under subsection (2).

    (2) If the Federal Court is satisfied that the person has breached the undertaking, the Court may make one or more of the following orders:

        (a)   an order directing the person to comply with the undertaking;

        (b)   any other order that the Court considers appropriate.

Subdivision C--Emergency directions

 

61ACA Making emergency directions
Application of this section

    (1) This section applies if the Authority is satisfied that circumstances exist amounting to an emergency that poses a serious risk to the environment in the Marine Park.

Emergency directions

    (2) The Authority may make a direction (an emergency direction) requiring a particular person, persons of a particular class, or persons generally, to take, or not to take, specified action for the purposes of avoiding, mitigating or eliminating the risk.

    (3) An emergency direction that applies to a particular person does not have to be in writing, but must be communicated to the person to whom it applies. An emergency direction other than a direction that applies to a particular person must be in writing and a copy of the direction must be published on the website of the Authority as soon as practicable after the direction is made.

Relevant matters

    (4) The Authority must not make an emergency direction unless:

        (a)   the Minister has consented to the making of the direction; and

        (b)   the Authority is satisfied that the direction is necessary and appropriate for the purposes of avoiding, mitigating or eliminating the risk; and

        (c)   if the circumstances include an incident involving a vessel--the Authority is satisfied that the direction is not inconsistent with Articles III and V of the International Convention Relating to Intervention on the High Seas in Cases of Oil Pollution Casualties, done at Brussels on 29 November 1969 [1984] ATS 4.

Note: The text of the Convention is set out in Australian Treaty Series 1984 No. 4. In 2008, the text of a Convention in the Australian Treaty Series was accessible through the Australian Treaties Library on the AustLII Internet site (www.austlii.edu.au).

Examples of emergency directions

    (5) The following are examples of emergency directions the Authority may make:

        (a)   a direction regulating or prohibiting the entry or use of a vessel, vehicle or aircraft in the Marine Park or a part of the Marine Park;

        (b)   a direction that a person remove a vessel, vehicle or aircraft from the Marine Park or a part of the Marine Park;

        (c)   a direction that a person responsible for abandoned, stranded, sunk or wrecked property take any action reasonably necessary to avoid, mitigate or eliminate risk arising from the presence of the property in the Marine Park.

When emergency directions have effect

    (6) An emergency direction:

        (a)   takes effect on the day the direction is made; and

        (b)   continues in effect until the earlier of:

        (i)   the end of the period (if any) specified in the direction (which must end no later than 2 months after the day the direction is made); or

        (ii)   the day that is 2 months after the day the direction is made.

Variation and revocation

    (7) The Authority may vary or revoke an emergency direction:

        (a)   in the same manner as an emergency direction may be made; and

        (b)   subject to the conditions that apply to the making of an emergency direction (for this purpose, subsection (1) and paragraph (4)(b) are not conditions); and

        (c)   subject to the Authority being satisfied that the variation or revocation would not be inconsistent with the purposes of avoiding, mitigating or eliminating the risk in relation to which the direction was made.

Emergency directions are not legislative instruments

    (8) If a direction under subsection (2) is made in writing, the direction is not a legislative instrument.

 

61ACB Failure to comply with emergency direction: offence

    (1) A person commits an offence if:

        (a)   an emergency direction applies to the person; and

        (b)   if the direction applies to a particular person--the direction was communicated to the person; and

        (c)   if the direction applies to a class of persons or to persons generally--the direction has been published on the website of the Authority; and

        (d)   the person fails to comply with the direction.

Penalty: 500 penalty units.

    (2) Absolute liability applies to paragraph (1)(a).

Note: For absolute liability, see section 6.2 of the Criminal Code.

    (3) Strict liability applies to paragraphs (1)(b) and (c).

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

    (4) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1) if it is proved:

        (a)   that the contravention of the direction resulted from the need to save life at sea; or

        (b)   that compliance with the direction was not possible; or

        (c)   if the direction requires a thing to be done before a particular time--that compliance with the direction was not possible before that time and the direction was complied with as soon as possible after that time.

Note: The defendant bears a legal burden in relation to the matters in this subsection. See section 13.4 of the Criminal Code.

Subdivision D--Enforceable directions

 

61ADA Making enforceable directions
Application of this section

    (1) This section applies if the Minister is satisfied:

        (a)   that a person has engaged, is engaging, or is likely to engage, in conduct that:

        (i)   constitutes or would constitute an offence against this Act; or

        (ii)   contravenes or would contravene a civil penalty provision; or

(iii) contravenes or would contravene the duty in section 37AA to prevent or minimise harm to the environment in the Marine Park; and

        (b)   that it would be in the public interest to make a direction under this section for either or both of the following purposes:

        (i)   ensuring the person's future compliance with this Act;

        (ii)   preventing, repairing or mitigating harm to the environment in the Marine Park that has been, might be or will be caused by the person's conduct.

Enforceable directions

    (2) The Minister may, in writing, make a direction (an enforceable direction) requiring the person to take or not to take specified action for either or both of the purposes referred to in subparagraphs (1)(b)(i) and (ii).

    (3) A copy of the direction must be given to the person.

Examples of enforceable directions

    (4) The following are examples of enforceable directions the Minister may make:

        (a)   a direction that the person stop, or not start, a specified activity (whether indefinitely or for a specified period);

        (b)   a direction that a person undertake a specified activity;

        (c)   a direction that a person undertake a specified activity in a specified way;

        (d)   a direction that a person prepare and comply with a plan of action, for compliance with this Act or for preventing, repairing or mitigating harm to the environment, that is satisfactory to the Minister;

        (e)   a direction that a person arrange for monitoring or auditing of either or both of the following:

        (i)   the person's compliance with this Act;

        (ii)   the effects on the environment in the Marine Park of the person's activities;

and provide the results to the Minister.

Variation and revocation

    (5) The Minister may vary or revoke an enforceable direction:

        (a)   in the same manner as an enforceable direction may be made; and

        (b)   subject to the conditions that apply to the making of an enforceable direction (for this purpose, subsection (1) is not a condition); and

        (c)   subject to the Minister being satisfied that it would be in the public interest to vary or revoke the direction; and

        (d)   subject to the Minister being satisfied that the variation or revocation would not be inconsistent with the following purposes:

        (i)   ensuring the person's future compliance with this Act;

        (ii)   preventing, repairing or mitigating harm to the environment in the Marine Park that has been, might be or will be caused by the conduct the person engaged in referred to in subsection (1).

Enforceable directions are not legislative instruments

    (6) An enforceable direction is not a legislative instrument.

 

61ADB Content of enforceable direction

An enforceable direction must:

        (a)   state the name of the person to whom it applies; and

        (b)   set out brief details of the conduct to which it applies; and

        (c)   specify whichever of the following apply:

        (i)   the offence referred to in subparagraph 61ADA(1)(a)(i);

        (ii)   the provision referred to in subparagraph 61ADA(1)(a)(ii);

(iii) the duty in section 37AA to prevent or minimise harm to the environment in the Marine Park; and

        (d)   specify the action that the person is to take or not take; and

        (e)   set out the effect of section 61ADE (Ministerial reconsideration of enforceable direction); and

        (f)   set out the effect of section 61ADH (failure to comply with enforceable direction); and

        (g)   if the direction relates to conduct that a person has engaged in that constitutes an offence or contravention--be given less than 6 years after the offence or contravention occurs.

 

61ADC Notifying owners and occupiers of land

    (1) Before the Minister makes an enforceable direction that requires an action to be taken on land that is not owned or occupied by the person the Minister proposes the direction will apply to, the Minister must:

        (a)   take all practicable steps to identify each person who is an owner or occupier of the land or any part of it; and

        (b)   take all practicable steps to advise each person identified of the enforceable direction the Minister proposes to make; and

        (c)   give persons advised at least 28 days to comment in writing to the Minister on the proposed enforceable direction.

    (2) The Minister must take any comments into account in deciding whether to make the proposed enforceable direction.

    (3) If the Minister decides to make the proposed enforceable direction, the Minister must take all practicable steps to advise each person identified for the purposes of paragraph (1)(a) that the direction has been made.

 

61ADD When enforceable directions have effect

    (1) An enforceable direction takes effect:

        (a)   on the day (if any) specified in the direction (which must not be earlier than the day on which a copy of the direction is given to the person to whom it applies); or

        (b)   if no day is specified--on the day on which a copy of the direction is given to the person to whom it applies.

    (2) An enforceable direction continues in effect:

        (a)   for the period (if any) specified in the direction; or

        (b)   until set aside by the Federal Court under section 61ADF or revoked by the Minister under subsection 61ADA(5).

 

61ADE Ministerial reconsideration of enforceable direction

    (1) A person to whom an enforceable direction is given may, no later than 20 days after:

        (a)   the day on which the person is given a copy of the direction; or

        (b)   the day on which the Minister varies the direction under subsection 61ADA(5);
apply in writing to the Minister for reconsideration of the decision to make or vary the direction.

    (2) On receipt of the application, the Minister must:

        (a)   reconsider the decision; and

        (b)   affirm or vary it, or set it aside and substitute a new decision.

    (3) The Minister may take into account information and comments from any source the Minister considers appropriate in deciding what action to take in relation to the application.

    (4) The Minister must:

        (a)   advise the person of the Minister's decision in relation to the application; and

        (b)   take all practicable steps to advise the persons identified for the purposes of paragraph 61ADC(1)(a) of the Minister's decision in relation to the application.

 

61ADF Application to Federal Court

    (1) A person to whom an enforceable direction applies may apply to the Federal Court to have the direction set aside, as long as the application is made within 28 days after any of the following:

        (a)   the day on which the person is given a copy of the direction;

        (b)   the day on which the Minister affirms or varies the direction under section 61ADE;

        (c)   the day on which the Minister varies the direction under subsection 61ADA(5).

    (2) On application under subsection (1), the Federal Court must set aside the enforceable direction if the Court is satisfied that:

        (a)   the person did not engage in, or was not likely to engage in, the conduct referred to in subsection 61ADA(1); or

        (b)   the conduct did not or would not constitute the offence specified in the direction; or

        (c)   the conduct did not or would not contravene the civil penalty provision specified in the direction; or

        (d)   the conduct did not or would not contravene the duty in section 37AA; or

        (e)   taking or not taking the action specified in the direction is not a reasonable measure for the purposes of:

        (i)   ensuring the person's future compliance with this Act; or

        (ii)   preventing, repairing or mitigating harm to the environment in the Marine Park that has been, might be or will be caused by the person's conduct.

    (3) In considering whether taking or not taking an action is a reasonable measure for the purposes referred to in paragraph (2)(e), the Federal Court must have regard to the following:

        (a)   the nature and extent of the conduct referred to in subsection 61ADA(1);

        (b)   the nature and extent of the harm to the environment that has been, might be or will be caused by the conduct;

        (c)   the circumstances in which the person engaged in the conduct;

        (d)   whether the person has previously been found by a court in proceedings under this Act or under any other law of the Commonwealth or a State or Territory to have engaged in any similar conduct;

        (e)   the cost to the person of taking or not taking the action;

        (f)   any benefit (whether or not financial) that the person has obtained or might obtain as a result of engaging in the conduct.

The Federal Court may also have regard to any other matters it considers relevant.

    (4) The Federal Court must not set aside the enforceable direction unless it is satisfied as mentioned in subsection (2).

 

61ADG Enforcement of direction by Federal Court

    (1) If the Minister considers that the person to whom an enforceable direction applies has failed to comply with the direction, the Minister may apply to the Federal Court for an order under subsection (2).

    (2) If the Federal Court is satisfied that the person has failed to comply with the direction, the Court may make any one or more of the following orders:

        (a)   an order directing the person to comply with the direction;

        (b)   any other order the Court considers appropriate.

 

61ADH Failure to comply with enforceable direction: civil penalty provision

A person to whom an enforceable direction applies must comply with the direction.

Civil penalty:

        (a)   for an individual--600 penalty units; or

        (b)   for a body corporate--6,000 penalty units.

Subdivision E--Directions limiting access to Marine Park

 

61AEA Directions limiting access to Marine Park
Application of this section

    (1) This section applies in relation to a person if at least 3 strikes against the person have occurred within the last 10 years. For this purpose:

        (a)   there is a strike against a person if the person has been convicted of an offence against this Act or a declaration of contravention of a civil penalty provision has been made against the person; and

        (b)   the strike occurs on the date the person is convicted of the offence or the date of the declaration of contravention.

Directions limiting access to Marine Park

    (2) The Minister may, in writing, make a direction:

        (a)   prohibiting the person from entering and using the Marine Park; or

        (b)   imposing conditions on the person's entry to and use of the Marine Park.

    (3) A copy of the direction must be given to the person.

Relevant matters

    (4) In deciding whether to make a direction under subsection (2), the Minister must have regard to:

        (a)   the nature of the conduct involved in the strikes to which the direction relates; and

        (b)   the objects of ensuring the person's future compliance with this Act and preventing harm to the environment in the Marine Park.

    (5) The Minister must not make a direction under subsection (2) that is inconsistent with the obligations of Australia under international law, including obligations under any agreement or arrangement between Australia and another country or countries.

When directions have effect

    (6) A direction made under subsection (2):

        (a)   takes effect:

        (i)   on the day (if any) specified in the direction (which must not be earlier than the day on which a copy of the direction is given to the person); or

        (ii)   if no day is specified--on the day a copy of the direction is given to the person; and

        (b)   continues in effect for the period specified in the direction (which must be no longer than 10 years after the strike that occurred most recently before the direction takes effect).

Variation and revocation

    (7) The Minister may vary or revoke a direction under subsection (2):

        (a)   in the same manner as a direction under that subsection may be made; and

        (b)   subject to the same conditions as apply to the making of a direction under subsection (2) (for this purpose, subsection (1) is not a condition).

Directions are not legislative instruments

    (8) A direction made under subsection (2) is not a legislative instrument.

 

61AEB Failure to comply with direction: offence

    (1) A person commits an offence if:

        (a)   a direction under subsection 61AEA(2) applies to the person; and

        (b)   the person fails to comply with the direction.

Penalty: 500 penalty units.

    (2) Absolute liability applies to paragraph (1)(a).

Note: For absolute liability, see section 6.2 of the Criminal Code.

    (3) The fault element for paragraph (1)(b) is negligence.

Note: For negligence, see section 5.5 of the Criminal Code.

Subdivision F--Publicising offences and contraventions

 

61AFA Publicising offences and contraventions

    (1) The Minister or the Authority may publicise, in any way the Minister or Authority thinks appropriate, any or all of the following:

        (a)   an offence against this Act of which a person has been convicted;

        (b)   a contravention of a civil penalty provision in respect of which a declaration of contravention has been made against a person or for which a person has been required to pay a pecuniary penalty;

        (c)   a penalty imposed on a person for an offence or contravention of a civil penalty provision.

    (2) This section does not:

        (a)   limit the Minister's or Authority's powers to publicise an offence against or contravention of this Act; or

        (b)   prevent anyone else from publicising an offence against or contravention of this Act; or

        (c)   affect any obligation (however imposed) on anyone to publicise an offence against or contravention of this Act.

Subdivision G--Injunctions

 

61AGA Injunctions

    (1) If a person has done, is doing or is proposing to do an act that:

        (a)   constitutes or would constitute an offence against this Act; or

        (b)   contravenes or would contravene a civil penalty provision;
the Federal Court or the Supreme Court of Queensland may, on application by the Minister, the Authority or by a person whose interests have been, are or would be affected by the action, grant an injunction, on terms the Court considers appropriate:

        (c)   restraining the person from doing the act; and

        (d)   if, in the Court's opinion, it is desirable to do so--requiring the person to do an act (including prevent, repair or mitigate harm to the environment in the Marine Park).

    (2) If a person:

        (a)   has refused or failed, is refusing or failing or is proposing to refuse or fail to do an act; and

        (b)   that refusal or failure constitutes or would constitute:

        (i)   an offence against this Act; or

        (ii)   a contravention of a civil penalty provision;
the Federal Court or the Supreme Court of Queensland may, on application by the Minister, the Authority or by a person whose interests have been, are or would be affected by the refusal or failure, grant an injunction, on terms the Court considers appropriate, requiring the person to do the act.

    (3) Before deciding to grant an injunction under this section, the Court may grant an interim injunction:

        (a)   restraining a person from doing an act; or

        (b)   requiring a person to do an act.

    (4) The Court may discharge or vary an injunction granted under this section.

    (5) The Court may grant an injunction under subsection (1) restraining a person from doing an act:

        (a)   whether or not it appears to the Court that the person intends to do again, or to continue to do, an act of that kind; and

        (b)   whether or not the person has previously done an act of that kind; and

        (c)   whether or not there is an imminent danger of substantial harm to a person or to the environment in the Marine Park if the person does an act of that kind.

    (6) The Court may grant an injunction under subsection (2) requiring a person to do an act:

        (a)   whether or not it appears to the Court that the person intends to refuse or fail, or to continue to refuse or fail, to do the act; and

        (b)   whether or not the person has previously refused or failed to do the act; and

        (c)   whether or not there is an imminent danger of substantial harm to a person or to the environment in the Marine Park if the person refuses or fails to do the act.

Subdivision H--Remediation orders

 

61AHA Remediation orders

    (1) If a person has engaged or is engaging in conduct that constitutes:

        (a)   an offence against this Act; or

        (b)   a contravention of a civil penalty provision;
the Federal Court may, on application by the Minister, make an order (a remediation order) requiring the person to take action to prevent, repair or mitigate harm to the environment in the Marine Park that has been, might be or will be caused by the conduct.

    (2) In considering whether to grant a remediation order, the Federal Court must have regard to the following:

        (a)   the nature and extent of the conduct referred to in subsection (1);

        (b)   the nature and extent of the harm to the environment in the Marine Park that has been, might be or will be caused by the conduct;

        (c)   the circumstances in which the person engaged in the conduct;

        (d)   if the harm was, might be or will be caused in a zone--any objectives specified for the zone in its zoning plan;

        (e)   whether the person has previously been found by a court in proceedings under this Act or under any other law of the Commonwealth or a State or Territory to have engaged in any similar conduct;

        (f)   the cost to the person of taking the action;

        (g)   any benefit (whether or not financial) that the person has obtained or might obtain as a result of engaging in the conduct.

    (3) A remediation order may specify the action that a person is to take in general terms (for example, requiring the person to take whatever action is necessary to prevent, repair or mitigate the harm) or in particular terms.

    (4) If the Federal Court makes a remediation order, it may also make an order requiring the person to provide security for the due taking of the required action.

 

61AHB Variation and discharge of remediation order

The Federal Court may vary or discharge a remediation order on application by the Minister.

Subdivision I--Civil penalty provisions

 

61AIA Declarations of contravention

    (1) The Authority may, on behalf of the Commonwealth, apply for a declaration of contravention under this section in relation to a contravention of a civil penalty provision by a person.

    (2) If the Federal Court is satisfied that the person has contravened the civil penalty provision, the Court must make a declaration of contravention.

Note: Once a declaration is made, the Authority can seek a pecuniary penalty order (see section 61AIC).

    (3) The declaration of contravention must specify the following:

        (a)   that the Federal Court made the declaration;

        (b)   the civil penalty provision that was contravened;

        (c)   if the contravention was an aggravated contravention--the applicable aggravating circumstance under section 38GB;

        (d)   the person who contravened the civil penalty provision;

        (e)   the conduct that constituted the contravention.

    (4) Proceedings for a declaration of contravention may be started no later than 6 years after the contravention.

 

61AIB Declaration of contravention is conclusive evidence

A declaration of contravention is conclusive evidence of the matters referred to in subsection 61AIA(3).

 

61AIC Pecuniary penalty for contravening civil penalty provision
Application for order

    (1) No later than 6 years after a contravention of a civil penalty provision by a person, the Authority may, on behalf of the Commonwealth, apply to the Federal Court for an order that the person pay the Commonwealth a pecuniary penalty for the contravention.

Court may order person to pay pecuniary penalty

    (2) If the Federal Court has made a declaration of contravention against the person under section 61AIA, the Court may order the person to pay to the Commonwealth for the contravention the pecuniary penalty that the Court determines is appropriate (but not more than the relevant amount specified for the provision).

Determining amount of pecuniary penalty

    (3) In determining the pecuniary penalty, the Federal Court must have regard to all relevant matters, including:

        (a)   the nature and extent of the contravention; and

        (b)   the nature and extent of any loss or damage suffered as a result of the contravention; and

        (c)   the nature and extent of any harm to the environment that has been, might be or will be caused by the contravention; and

        (d)   if any harm caused by the contravention was, might be or will be caused in a zone--any objectives specified for the zone in its zoning plan; and

        (e)   the circumstances in which the contravention took place; and

        (f)   whether the person has previously been found by a court in proceedings under this Act or under any other law of the Commonwealth or a State or Territory to have engaged in any similar conduct; and

        (g)   any benefit (whether or not financial) obtained by the person directly or indirectly as a result of the contravention.

Conduct contravening more than one civil penalty provision

    (4) If conduct constitutes a contravention of 2 or more civil penalty provisions, proceedings may be instituted under this Act against a person in relation to the contravention of any one or more of those provisions. However, the person is not liable to more than one pecuniary penalty under this section in respect of the same conduct.

 

61AID Definition of civil penalty provision

For the purposes of this Act, a subsection of this Act (or a section of this Act that is not divided into subsections) is a civil penalty provision if:

        (a)   the words "civil penalty" and one or more amounts in penalty units are set out at the foot of the subsection (or section) (whether or not any other amount is set out); or

        (b)   another provision of this Act specifies that the subsection (or section) is a civil penalty provision.

 

61AIE Contravening a civil penalty provision is not an offence

A contravention of a civil penalty provision is not an offence.

 

61AIF Persons involved in contravening civil penalty provision

    (1) A person must not:

        (a)   aid, abet, counsel or procure a contravention of a civil penalty provision; or

        (b)   induce (by threats, promises or otherwise) a contravention of a civil penalty provision; or

        (c)   be in any way directly or indirectly knowingly concerned in, or party to, a contravention of a civil penalty provision; or

        (d)   conspire to contravene a civil penalty provision.

    (2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) in relation to a civil penalty provision is, for the purposes of:

        (a)   this Act; and

        (b)   Part 17 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, so far as that Part applies in relation to contraventions of civil penalty provisions of this Act;
taken to have contravened the civil penalty provision.

 

61AIG Recovery of a pecuniary penalty

If the Federal Court orders a person to pay a pecuniary penalty:

        (a)   the penalty is payable to the Commonwealth; and

        (b)   the Commonwealth may enforce the order as if it were a judgment of the Court.

 

61AIH Civil evidence and procedure rules for declarations of contravention and civil penalty orders

The Federal Court must apply the rules of evidence and procedure for civil matters when hearing proceedings for:

        (a)   a declaration of contravention; or

        (b)   a pecuniary penalty order.

 

61AII Civil proceedings after criminal proceedings

The Federal Court must not make a declaration of contravention or a pecuniary penalty order against a person for a contravention of a civil penalty provision if the person has been convicted of an offence constituted by conduct that is substantially the same as the conduct constituting the contravention.

 

61AIJ Criminal proceedings during civil proceedings

    (1) Proceedings for a declaration of contravention or a pecuniary penalty order against a person for a contravention of a civil penalty provision are stayed if:

        (a)   criminal proceedings are started or have already been started against the person for an offence; and

        (b)   the offence is constituted by conduct that is substantially the same as the conduct alleged to constitute the contravention.

    (2) The proceedings for the declaration or order may be resumed if the person is not convicted of the offence. Otherwise, the proceedings for the order are dismissed.

 

61AIK Criminal proceedings after civil proceedings

Criminal proceedings may be started against a person for conduct that is substantially the same as conduct constituting a contravention of a civil penalty provision regardless of whether:

        (a)   a declaration of contravention has been made against the person; or

        (b)   a pecuniary penalty order has been made against the person.

 

61AIL Evidence given in proceedings for penalty not admissible in criminal proceedings

Evidence of information given or evidence of production of documents by an individual is not admissible in criminal proceedings against the individual if:

        (a)   the individual previously gave the evidence or produced the documents in proceedings for a pecuniary penalty order against the individual for a contravention of a civil penalty provision (whether or not the order was made); and

        (b)   the conduct alleged to constitute the offence is substantially the same as the conduct that was claimed to constitute the contravention.

However, this does not apply to a criminal proceeding in respect of the falsity of the evidence given by the individual in the proceedings for the pecuniary penalty order.

Subdivision J--Court order to pay amount equivalent to avoided charge

 

61AJA Order to pay amount equivalent to avoided charge

    (1) This section applies if:

        (a)   a court convicts a person of an offence against this Act or orders a person to pay a pecuniary penalty for a contravention of a civil penalty provision; and

        (b)   the person would not have committed the offence or contravention if the conduct constituting the offence or contravention had been authorised by a permission granted under the regulations for the purposes of a zoning plan or a provision of this Act; and

        (c)   the permission would have been a chargeable permission.

    (2) In addition to any fine or sentence of imprisonment imposed on the person for the offence or contravention, the court may, on application by the Authority, order the person to pay to the Authority, on behalf of the Commonwealth, a penalty of an amount determined by the court under subsection (3).

    (3) In determining the penalty, the court must have regard to the amount of charge that would have been payable if the person had been the holder of the chargeable permission referred to in paragraph (1)(c) at all times when the person engaged in conduct constituting the offence or contravention (whether or not the person was convicted, or ordered to pay a pecuniary penalty, in respect of each particular instance of the conduct).

    (4) To avoid doubt, the total of the penalties that may be payable by a person in relation to an offence or contravention of a civil penalty provision may, because of this section, exceed the maximum penalty set out at the foot of the offence or civil penalty provision.

Subdivision K--Publicity orders

 

61AKA Publicity orders

A court that:

        (a)   convicts a person of an offence against this Act; or

        (b)   makes a declaration of contravention against a person, or imposes a pecuniary penalty on a person, for a contravention of a civil penalty provision;
may make an order that the person take action specified in the order to publicise either or both of the following:

        (c)   the offence or contravention;

        (d)   any penalty imposed.

Division 2--Other enforcement-related matters
Subdivision A--Infringement notices

 

61ALA Infringement notices

    (1) The regulations may make provision enabling a person who is alleged to have committed:

        (a)   an offence against:

        (i)   subsection 38BA(3); or

        (ii)   subsection 38EA(4); or

        (b)   an offence against the regulations;
to pay a specified penalty to the Commonwealth as an alternative to prosecution.

    (2) The penalty must not exceed an amount equal to one-fifth of the maximum fine that a court could impose on the person for that offence.

Subdivision B--Evidentiary matters

 

61AMA Content of evidentiary certificate

If the Chairperson has reason to believe that any of the following is the case, the Chairperson may issue a written certificate to that effect:

        (a)   that a specified document is a copy of a permission, authority or notice under this Act;

        (b)   that on a specified day, or during a specified period, a specified person was or was not authorised to engage in conduct by a specified permission granted under the regulations or specified authority given in accordance with such a permission;

        (c)   that on a specified day, a specified person was given a specified notice, order or direction under this Act;

        (d)   that a specified fee or charge under this Act is payable by a specified person;

        (e)   that a specified fee or charge under this Act payable by a specified person has not been paid by a specified day;

        (f)   that a specified location at which, or specified area of waters in which, a person, animal, plant, aircraft, vessel or platform is alleged to have been at a specified time is in the Great Barrier Reef Region, the Marine Park or in a specified zone;

        (g)   that specified information obtained from the vessel monitoring system of a vessel shows that the vessel was, at a specified time, at a specified location or in a specified area of waters;

        (h)   that specified information obtained from the vessel monitoring system of a vessel shows that the vessel was, at a specified time, travelling at a specified speed.

 

61AMB Evidentiary effect of certificate

    (1) In any proceedings:

        (a)   in relation to an offence against this Act; or

        (b)   in relation to a contravention of a civil penalty provision; or

        (c)   for an injunction under section 61AGA; or

        (d)   to set aside an enforceable direction under section 61ADF;
a certificate under section 61AMA is prima facie evidence of the matters in the certificate.

    (2) A document purporting to be a certificate under section 61AMA must, unless the contrary is proved, be taken to be such a certificate and to have been properly issued.

    (3) A certificate must not be admitted in evidence under subsection (1) in proceedings in relation to an offence unless the person charged, or a solicitor who has appeared for the person in those proceedings, has, at least 14 days before the certificate is sought to be admitted, been given a copy of the certificate together with reasonable evidence of the intention to produce the certificate as evidence in the proceedings.

    (4) Subject to subsection (5), if a certificate is admitted in evidence under subsection (1) in proceedings in relation to an offence, the person charged with the offence may require the Chairperson to be called as a witness for the prosecution and cross-examined as if he or she had given evidence of the matters stated in the certificate.

    (5) Subsection (4) does not entitle the person charged to require the Chairperson to be called as a witness for the prosecution unless the court, by order, allows the person charged to require the Chairperson to be so called.

    (6) The Authority may certify that a document is a copy of a certificate under section 61AMA.

    (7) This section applies to the certified copy as if it were the original.

 

61AMC Varying or revoking certificate

    (1) The Chairperson may vary a certificate under section 61AMA as long as the variation is of a minor nature.

    (2) If a certificate is varied, the Chairperson must give the person concerned a written notice setting out the terms of the variation.

    (3) The Chairperson may revoke a certificate under section 61AMA.

    (4) If a certificate is revoked, the Chairperson must give the person concerned a written notice stating that the certificate has been revoked.

 

61AMD Offences and contraventions in relation to fishing

    (1) This section applies in relation to an offence against this Act, or a contravention of a civil penalty provision, constituted by conduct that is fishing, if the fishing involved a primary commercial fishing vessel or a dory.

    (2) In determining, in the case of an offence or contravention involving a primary commercial fishing vessel:

        (a)   the penalty, or the amount of a penalty, to be imposed on a person for the offence or contravention; or

        (b)   whether the forfeiture of a thing used in the offence should be ordered under Division 10 of Part 17 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999;
all fish on board the primary commercial fishing vessel at the time the vessel was apprehended in relation to the offence or contravention are taken to be fish in relation to which the offence or contravention was committed.

    (3) In determining, in the case of an offence or contravention involving a dory:

        (a)   the penalty, or the amount of a penalty, to be imposed on a person for the offence or contravention; or

        (b)   whether the forfeiture of a thing used in the offence should be ordered;
all fish:

        (c)   on board the dory at the time the dory was apprehended in relation to the offence or contravention; and

        (d)   on board the primary commercial fishing vessel, in association with which the dory is used, at the time the vessel was apprehended in relation to the offence or contravention;
are taken to be fish in relation to which the offence or contravention was committed.

Subdivision C--Conduct of directors, employees and agents

 

61ANA Conduct of directors, employees and agents
Bodies corporate--conduct

    (1) Any conduct engaged in on behalf of a body corporate:

        (a)   by a director, employee or agent of the body corporate within the scope of his or her actual or apparent authority; or

        (b)   by any other person at the direction or with the consent or agreement (whether express or implied) of a director, employee or agent of the body corporate, where the giving of the direction, consent or agreement is within the scope of the actual or apparent authority of the director, employee or agent;
is taken, for the purposes of this Act, to have been engaged in also by the body corporate unless the body corporate establishes that the body corporate took reasonable precautions and exercised due diligence to avoid the conduct.

Bodies corporate--state of mind

    (2) If, for the purposes of this Act, it is necessary to establish the state of mind of a body corporate in relation to particular conduct, it is sufficient to show:

        (a)   that the conduct was engaged in by a director, employee, agent or other person as mentioned in paragraph (1)(a) or (b); and

        (b)   that the director, employee, agent or other person had that state of mind.

Persons other than bodies corporate--conduct

    (3) Any conduct engaged in on behalf of a person other than a body corporate:

        (a)   by an employee or agent of the person within the scope of his or her actual or apparent authority; or

        (b)   by any other person at the direction or with the consent or agreement (whether express or implied) of an employee or agent of the first-mentioned person, where the giving of the direction, consent or agreement is within the scope of the actual or apparent authority of the employee or agent;
is taken, for the purposes of this Act, to have been engaged in also by the first-mentioned person unless the first-mentioned person establishes that the first-mentioned person took reasonable precautions and exercised due diligence to avoid the conduct.

Persons other than bodies corporate--state of mind

    (4) If, for the purposes of this Act, it is necessary to establish the state of mind of a person other than a body corporate in relation to particular conduct, it is sufficient to show:

        (a)   that the conduct was engaged in by an employee, agent or other person as mentioned in paragraph (3)(a) or (b); and

        (b)   that the employee, agent or other person had that state of mind.

Reasonable precautions

    (5) For the purposes of subsection (1) or (3), in determining whether a body corporate or other person took reasonable precautions and exercised due diligence to avoid particular conduct, a court must have regard to what steps (if any) the body or person took directed towards ensuring the following (to the extent that the steps are relevant to the conduct):

        (a)   that the body or person regularly assesses, or arranges for regular assessments of, the body's or person's compliance with this Act;

        (b)   that the body or person implements any appropriate recommendations arising from such an assessment;

        (c)   that the directors of the body, or the employees or agents of the body or person, have a reasonable knowledge and understanding of the requirements to comply with this Act, in so far as those requirements affect the directors, employees or agents concerned;

        (d)   that the body or person regularly assesses, or arranges for regular assessments of, the effects of the body's or person's activities on the environment in the Marine Park;

        (e)   that the body or person has an appropriate system established for managing those effects.

Meaning of state of mind

    (6) A reference in subsection (2) or (4) to the state of mind of a person includes a reference to:

        (a)   the knowledge, intention, opinion, belief or purpose of the person; and

        (b)   the person's reasons for the intention, opinion, belief or purpose.

Meaning of director

    (7) A reference in this section to a director of a body corporate includes a reference to a constituent member of a body corporate incorporated for a public purpose by a law of the Commonwealth, of a State or of a Territory.

Disapplying Part 2.5 of Criminal Code

    (8) Part 2.5 of the Criminal Code does not apply to an offence against this Act.

Note: Part 2.5 of the Criminal Code deals with corporate criminal responsibility.

Subdivision D--Liability of executive officers for bodies corporate

 

61AOA Criminal liability of executive officers of bodies corporate

    (1) If:

        (a)   a body corporate commits an offence against Part VAA (other than Division 6); and

        (b)   an executive officer of the body was reckless as to whether the offence would be committed; and

        (c)   the officer was in a position to influence the conduct of the body in relation to the offence; and

        (d)   the officer failed to take all reasonable steps to prevent the offence being committed;
the officer commits an offence.

    (2) An offence against subsection (1) is punishable on conviction by:

        (a)   imprisonment for a term not exceeding the term specified for the offence committed by the body corporate; or

        (b)   if no term of imprisonment is specified for the offence committed by the body corporate--a pecuniary penalty not exceeding the pecuniary penalty specified for the offence committed by the body corporate.

 

61AOB Civil penalties for executive officers of bodies corporate

    (1) If:

        (a)   a body corporate contravenes a civil penalty provision; and

        (b)   an executive officer of the body knew that, or was reckless or negligent as to whether, the contravention would occur; and

        (c)   the officer was in a position to influence the conduct of the body in relation to the contravention; and

        (d)   the officer failed to take all reasonable steps to prevent the contravention;
the officer contravenes this subsection.

    (2) Subsection (1) is a civil penalty provision. Under section 61AIC, the Federal Court may order a person contravening subsection (1) to pay a pecuniary penalty not more than the pecuniary penalty the Court could order an individual to pay for contravening the civil penalty provision contravened by the body corporate.

 

61AOC Reasonable steps to prevent offence or contravention

    (1) For the purposes of sections 61AOA and 61AOB, in determining whether an executive officer of a body corporate failed to take all reasonable steps to prevent the offence or contravention, a court must have regard to:

        (a)   what action (if any) the officer took directed towards ensuring the following (to the extent that the action is relevant to the offence or contravention):

        (i)   that the body regularly assesses, or arranges for regular assessments of, the body's compliance with this Act;

        (ii)   that the body implements any appropriate recommendations arising from such an assessment;

(iii) that the body's employees, agents and contractors have a reasonable knowledge and understanding of the requirements to comply with this Act, in so far as those requirements affect the employees, agents or contractors concerned;

        (iv)   that the body regularly assesses, or arranges for regular assessments of, the effects of the body's activities on the environment in the Marine Park;

        (v)   that the body has an appropriate system established for managing those effects; and

        (b)   what action (if any) the officer took when he or she became aware that the body was committing an offence against, or contravening, this Act.

    (2) This section does not, by implication, limit the generality of sections 61AOA and 61AOB.

Subdivision E--Miscellaneous

 

61APA Powers of Federal Court

The powers conferred on the Federal Court by this Part are in addition to (and do not limit) any other powers of the Court.

 

126 Subsection 61A(1)
After "against this Act", insert "or a contravention of a civil penalty provision".

 

127 Subsection 61A(2)
Omit "section 38H", substitute "section 38DC".

 

128 Subsection 61A(2)
After "an order", insert "or direction".

 

129 Subsections 61A(3) and (4)
Repeal the subsections.

 

130 After subsection 61B(1)
Insert:

(1A) Subject to this section, if:

        (a)   a declaration of contravention has been made against a person in relation to a contravention of a civil penalty provision; and

        (b)   the Commonwealth or the Authority has incurred expenses or other liabilities in relation to:

        (i)   if the contravention is a contravention of subsection 61AIF(1)--rectifying the act or omission constituting the contravention of the civil penalty provision to which that contravention relates; or

        (ii)   in any other case--rectifying the act or omission constituting the contravention;
the person against whom the declaration is made is liable to pay to the Commonwealth or to the Authority, as the case requires, an amount equal to the total amount of those expenses and liabilities of the Commonwealth or the Authority.

 

131 Subsection 61B(2)
After "subsection (1)", insert "or (1A)".

 

132 After subsection 61B(5)
Insert:

(5A) If the Federal Court makes a declaration of contravention against a person for a contravention of a civil penalty provision, the Court may (whether or not the Court makes a pecuniary penalty order against the person in respect of the contravention) order the person to pay an amount that the person is liable to pay under this section.

 

133 Subsection 61B(6)
After "subsection (5)" (wherever occurring), insert "or (5A)".

 

134 Paragraph 61B(7)(b)
Omit "38K or 38L", substitute "38FA or 38FD".

 

135 Subsection 61B(9)
After "offence against this Act", insert "or a contravention of a civil penalty provision".

 

136 Paragraph 61B(9)(a)
Omit "section 38H", substitute "section 38DC".

 

137 Paragraph 61B(9)(a)
After "an order", insert "or direction".

 

138 Paragraphs 61C(1)(a) and (2)(a)
Omit "or 61B(5)", substitute ", section 61AJA or subsection 61B(5) or (5A)".

 

139 Section 62
Repeal the section.

 

140 Section 64
Repeal the section, substitute:

Part IX--Miscellaneous

 

64 Reconsideration of decisions

    (1) A person who is affected by a reviewable decision made by the Minister may request the Minister, in writing, to reconsider the decision.

    (2) A person who is affected by a reviewable decision made by the Authority may request the Authority, in writing, to reconsider the decision.

    (3) For the purposes of this Act, each of the following decisions is a reviewable decision:

        (a)   a decision by the Authority to make an emergency direction under subsection 61ACA(2) or to vary such a direction;

        (b)   a decision by the Minister to make a direction under subsection 61AEA(2) (directions limiting access to the Marine Park), or to vary such a direction;

        (c)   a decision by the Minister prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph;

        (d)   a decision by the Authority prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph.

    (4) After receiving a request, the Minister or Authority must:

        (a)   reconsider the decision; and

        (b)   affirm or vary it, or set it aside and substitute a new decision.

    (5) The regulations may prescribe any or all of the following:

        (a)   time limits for making requests under this section;

        (b)   matters to be included in requests under this section;

        (c)   time limits for reconsidering decisions under this section;

        (d)   when a decision on reconsideration takes effect.

    (6) In this section:

decision has the same meaning as in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975.

 

64A Review of decisions by AAT

If a reviewable decision made by the Minister or the Authority has been reconsidered under subsection 64(4), application may be made to the AAT for review of the decision as affirmed, varied or substituted on reconsideration.

Note: Sections 39M and 59G provide for review of certain other decisions by the AAT.

 

141 After section 65
Insert:

 

65A Appropriation of Consolidated Revenue Fund

    (1) The Consolidated Revenue Fund is appropriated for the following purposes:

        (a)   making refunds of amounts in accordance with regulations made for the purposes of paragraph 39K(1)(c);

        (b)   making payments of interest, or other amounts, derived from the custody or banking of collected amounts in accordance with regulations made for the purposes of paragraph 39PA(1)(d).

    (2) If an amount (the Commonwealth amount) is received by the Commonwealth under section 39DA, subsection 39FA(2), section 39FD or 39H or subsection 61AJA(2), an amount equal to the Commonwealth amount is appropriated out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the purpose of the performance of the functions of the Authority.

    (3) If the Commonwealth refunds the whole or part of a Commonwealth amount, the amount appropriated under subsection (2) is reduced by the amount of the refund.

Note: Subsection 28(2) of the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 is a standing appropriation for repayments of amounts received by the Commonwealth.

 

142 Subsection 66(2)
After "subsection (1), regulations", insert "to do any or all of the following".

 

143 Paragraph 66(2)(n)
Repeal the paragraph.

 

144 Paragraph 66(2)(ua)
Omit "issued; and", substitute "issued;".

 

145 After paragraph 66(2)(ua)
Insert:

(ub) providing for the use of a vessel monitoring system on vessels in the Marine Park and for the use and disclosure of information provided by the vessel monitoring system;

(uc) regulating fishing (of any kind, including commercial fishing) in the Marine Park;

(ud) regulating camping and other activities on islands in the Marine Park;

(ue) providing for the protection and conservation of protected species in the Marine Park;

 

146 After subsection 66(2)
Insert:

(2A) Without limiting subsection (1), the regulations may prescribe measures for the management of the discharge of sewage from vessels in the Marine Park.


Part 3--Transitional, application and saving provisions

 

147 Section 42 of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975
(1) This item applies if, immediately before the commencement of this Schedule, an arrangement under section 42 of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 was in force in respect of a person.

    (2) Despite the repeal of section 42 by this Schedule, the arrangement in respect of the person continues in force after the commencement of this Schedule as if the arrangement had been made under section 48A as inserted by this Act.

    (3) Subitem (2) applies even if the person is not a person in respect of whom an arrangement under section 48A could be made.

 

148 Section 46D of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975
Despite the repeal of section 46D of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 by this Schedule, that section continues to apply after the commencement of this Schedule in relation to a thing seized before the commencement of this Schedule under section 46A or 46B of that Act.

 

149 Section 47 of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975
(1) Despite the repeal of section 47 of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 by this Schedule, subsections 47(3), (4) and (9) continue to apply after the commencement of this Schedule in relation to a vessel, aircraft or article seized before the commencement of this Schedule under subsection 47(2).

    (2) Despite the repeal of section 47 of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 by this Schedule, subsections 47(7), (8) and (9) continue to apply after the commencement of this Schedule in relation to an animal or plant seized before the commencement of this Schedule under subsection 47(6).

 

150 Section 47B of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975
(1) This item applies if, immediately before the commencement of this Schedule, an inspector within the meaning of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 was authorised to seize a vessel or aircraft, or an article, animal or plant, under that Act.

    (2) After the commencement of this Schedule, the inspector may give a direction under section 447 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 in relation to the vessel, aircraft, article, animal or plant, as if the inspector were authorised to seize the vessel, aircraft, article, animal or plant under a warrant issued under Division 4 of Part 17 or under section 445 of that Act.

 

151 Section 48AB of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975
Despite the repeal of section 48AB of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 by this Schedule, that section continues to apply after the commencement of this Schedule in relation to a weapon or other thing seized before the commencement of this Schedule under that section.

 

152 Directions limiting access to the Marine Park
For the purposes of section 61AEA of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975, as inserted by this Schedule, a reference to a strike against a person includes a reference to a strike against a person that occurred before the commencement of this Schedule.

 

153 Delegations under section 61 of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975
Despite the repeal of section 61 of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 by this Schedule:

        (a)   a delegation to a person that was, immediately before the commencement of this Schedule, in force under that section continues in force after that commencement as if it had been made under section 47 of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 as inserted by this Schedule; and

        (b)   a direction to a delegate that was, immediately before the commencement of this Schedule, in force under that section continues in force after that commencement as if it had been made under section 47 of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 as inserted by this Schedule.

 

154 Delegations under subsection 61A(3) of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975
Despite the repeal of subsections 61A(3) and (4) of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 by this Schedule:

        (a)   a delegation to the Authority that was, immediately before the commencement of this Schedule, in force under subsection 61A(3) continues in force after that commencement as if it had been made under subsection 46(1) of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 as inserted by this Schedule; and

        (b)   a direction to the Authority that was, immediately before the commencement of this Schedule, in force under subsection 61A(4) continues in force after that commencement as if it had been made under subsection 46(2) of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 as inserted by this Schedule.

 

155 Averments under section 62 of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975
Despite the repeal of section 62 of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 by this Schedule, that section continues to apply after the commencement of this Schedule in relation to an averment made before the commencement of this Schedule.

 

156 Section 64 of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975
Despite the repeal of section 64 of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 by this Schedule, that section continues to apply after the commencement of this Schedule in relation to conduct engaged in, or taken by subsection 64(2) of that Act to have been engaged in, before the commencement of this Schedule.

 

157 Regulations in relation to infringement notices
The repeal of paragraph 66(2)(n) of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 by this Schedule does not affect the validity of any regulations in force immediately before the commencement of this Schedule in relation to the matters referred to in that paragraph.


Schedule 6--Offences and civil penalties
Part 1--Amendments
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975

 

1 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

aggravated contravention has the meaning given by section 38GB.

 

2 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

aggravated offence has the meaning given by section 38GA.

 

3 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

Australian resident means:

        (a)   a person who holds a permanent visa (as defined in the Migration Act 1958) that is in effect; or

        (b)   a New Zealand citizen who is usually resident in Australia or a Territory and who holds a special category visa (as defined in the Migration Act 1958) that is in effect; or

        (c)   any other person who is usually resident in Australia or a Territory and whose continued presence in Australia or a Territory is not subject to a limitation as to time imposed by law.

 

4 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

conduct has the same meaning as in the Criminal Code.

 

5 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

discharge, in relation to waste, means release the waste, however the release is caused, and includes any escape, disposal, depositing, spilling, leaking, pumping, emitting or emptying of the waste.

 

6 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

dory means:

        (a)   a vessel in relation to which a licence or other permission (however described and whether or not in force) has been granted under a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory authorising the vessel to be used in association with a primary commercial fishing vessel; or

        (b)   a vessel that is used in association with a primary commercial fishing vessel.

Note: A dory might also be known as a tender commercial fishing vessel.

 

7 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

engage in conduct has the same meaning as in the Criminal Code.

 

8 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

fish includes all species of bony fish, sharks, rays, crustaceans, molluscs and other marine organisms, but does not include marine mammals or marine reptiles.

 

9 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

fishing means any of the following:

        (a)   searching for, or taking, fish;

        (b)   attempting to search for, or take, fish;

        (c)   engaging in any other activities that can reasonably be expected to result in the locating of, or taking of, fish;

        (d)   placing, searching for or recovering fish aggregating devices or associated electronic equipment such as radio beacons;

        (e)   any operations at sea directly in support of, or in preparation for, any activity described in this definition;

        (f)   aircraft use relating to any activity described in this definition except flights in emergencies involving the health or safety of crew members or the safety of a launch, vessel or floating craft of any description.

 

10 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

minerals means minerals in any form, whether solid, liquid or gaseous and whether organic or inorganic.

 

11 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

mining operations:

        (a)   means operations or activities connected with, or incidental to, the mining or recovery of minerals; and

        (b)   includes prospecting for or exploring for minerals.

 

12 Subsection 3(1) (definition of operations for the recovery of minerals)
Repeal the definition.

 

13 Subsection 3(1) (definition of owner)
After "owner", insert ", in relation to a vessel,".

 

14 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

primary commercial fishing vessel means:

        (a)   a vessel in relation to which a licence or other permission (however described and whether or not in force) has been granted under a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory authorising the vessel to be used to take fish for commercial purposes; or

        (b)   a vessel that is used to take fish for commercial purposes.

 

15 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

prohibited: conduct in a zone is prohibited if the conduct is neither:

        (a)   for a purpose for which, under the zoning plan for the zone, the zone may be used or entered without permission; nor

        (b)   for a purpose that, under the zoning plan for the zone, requires permission.

 

16 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

protected species means any of the following:

        (a)   a cetacean;

        (b)   a listed marine species, a listed migratory species, a listed threatened ecological community, or a listed threatened species;

        (c)   a species of marine mammal, bird or reptile that is prescribed as endangered wildlife, vulnerable wildlife or rare wildlife under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 of Queensland;

        (d)   a species declared by the regulations to be a protected species for the purposes of this definition;

        (e)   a species declared by the regulations to be a strictly protected species for the purposes of this definition.

 

17 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

reef includes bommie fields, reef slopes, moats and ramparts.

 

18 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

take, in relation to an animal or plant, includes remove, gather, catch, capture, kill, destroy, dredge for, raise, carry away, bring ashore, interfere with and obtain.

 

19 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

territorial sea has the same meaning as in the Seas and Submerged Lands Act 1973.

 

20 Subsection 3(1)
Insert:

waste means any of the following:

        (a)   oil within the meaning of Part II of the Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983;

        (b)   noxious liquid substances within the meaning of Part III of that Act;

        (c)   packaged harmful substances within the meaning of Part IIIA of that Act;

        (d)   sewage within the meaning of Part IIIB of that Act;

        (e)   garbage within the meaning of Part IIIC of that Act;

        (f)   mixtures where the oil content is greater than 15 parts in 1,000,000 parts;

        (g)   any other matter that is declared by the regulations to be waste for the purposes of this definition.

 

21 Subsection 3(9)
Omit "either".

 

22 After paragraph 3(9)(a)
Insert:

(aa) under a law of a State or Territory; or

 

23 Subsection 3A(10)
Omit "38B(2)", substitute "38BA(5) and regulations made for the purposes of that subsection".

 

24 Sections 38A to 39
Repeal the sections, substitute:

Part VAA--Offences and penalties in relation to Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and Region
Division 1--Conduct in Great Barrier Reef Region

 

38AA Mining or drilling in Great Barrier Reef Region: offence

    (1) A person commits an offence if:

        (a)   the person engages in conduct; and

        (b)   the conduct is mining operations; and

        (c)   the conduct is engaged in in the Great Barrier Reef Region; and

        (d)   the person is not authorised to engage in the conduct by:

        (i)   a permission granted under the regulations for the purposes of this section; or

        (ii)   an authority given in accordance with a condition of a permission referred to in subparagraph (i).

Penalty:

        (a)   for an aggravated offence--imprisonment for 3 years or 2,000 penalty units, or both; or

        (b)   in any other case--1,000 penalty units.

Note: See also Division 8.

    (2) Strict liability applies to paragraphs (1)(c) and (d).

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

    (3) The Authority must not grant a person permission to engage in conduct for the purposes of this section unless the Authority is satisfied that the conduct is for the purpose of research or investigations relevant to the conservation of the Marine Park.

    (4) Subsection (1) does not apply if:

        (a)   the person is the Authority; and

        (b)   the Authority is engaging in the conduct for the purpose of research or investigations relevant to the conservation of the Marine Park.

    (5) This section applies despite any other law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory.

 

38AB Mining or drilling in Great Barrier Reef Region: civil penalty provision

    (1) A person must not engage in mining operations in the Great Barrier Reef Region unless the person is authorised to engage in the operations by:

        (a)   a permission granted under the regulations for the purposes of section 38AA; or

        (b)   an authority given in accordance with a condition of a permission referred to in paragraph (a).

Civil penalty:

        (a)   for an aggravated contravention by an individual--5,000 penalty units; or

        (b)   for an individual in any other case--2,000 penalty units; or

        (c)   for an aggravated contravention by a body corporate--50,000 penalty units; or

        (d)   for a body corporate in any other case--20,000 penalty units.

    (2) Subsection (1) does not apply if:

        (a)   the person is the Authority; and

        (b)   the Authority is engaging in the operations for the purpose of research or investigations relevant to the conservation of the Marine Park.

Division 2--Conduct in Marine Park zones

 

38BA Conduct in zone: offence
Conduct prohibited or done without required permission

    (1) A person commits an offence if:

        (a)   the person engages in conduct; and

        (b)   the conduct is engaged in in a zone; and

        (c)   under the zoning plan for the zone, the conduct:

        (i)   is prohibited; or

        (ii)   requires permission; and
Note: Prohibited is defined in subsection 3(1).

        (d)   if the conduct requires permission--the person is not authorised to engage in the conduct by:

        (i)   a permission granted under the regulations for the purposes of the zoning plan; or

        (ii)   an authority given in accordance with a condition of a permission referred to in subparagraph (i).

Penalty:

        (a)   for an aggravated offence--imprisonment for 3 years or 2,000 penalty units, or both; or

        (b)   in any other case--1,000 penalty units.

Note: See also Division 8.

    (2) Strict liability applies to paragraphs (1)(b), (c) and (d).

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

Conduct prohibited or done without required permission: strict liability

    (3) A person commits an offence if:

        (a)   the person engages in conduct; and

        (b)   the conduct is engaged in in a zone; and

        (c)   under the zoning plan for the zone, the conduct:

        (i)   is prohibited; or

        (ii)   requires permission; and
Note: Prohibited is defined in subsection 3(1).

        (d)   if the conduct requires permission--the person is not authorised to engage in the conduct by:

        (i)   a permission granted under the regulations for the purposes of the zoning plan; or

        (ii)   an authority given in accordance with a condition of a permission referred to in subparagraph (i).

Penalty: 60 penalty units.

    (4) Strict liability applies to subsection (3).

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

Defence--prescribed circumstances

    (5) Subsections (1) and (3) do not apply if circumstances prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this subsection exist in relation to the conduct. Any circumstances prescribed must relate to:

        (a)   conduct engaged in during the period of 120 days after the day on which the zoning plan, or an amendment of the zoning plan, commenced; or

        (b)   conduct engaged in after the end of that period if the person had applied for a permission for the purposes of the zoning plan during that period.

Note: The defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection. See subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code.

 

38BB Conduct in zone: civil penalty provision

    (1) A person must not engage in conduct in a zone that is prohibited under the zoning plan for the zone.

Note: Prohibited is defined in subsection 3(1).

Civil penalty:

        (a)   for an aggravated contravention by an individual--5,000 penalty units; or

        (b)   for an individual in any other case--2,000 penalty units; or

        (c)   for an aggravated contravention by a body corporate--50,000 penalty units; or

        (d)   for a body corporate in any other case--20,000 penalty units.

    (2) A person must not engage in conduct in a zone if:

        (a)   under the zoning plan for the zone, the conduct requires permission; and

        (b)   the person is not authorised to engage in the conduct by:

        (i)   a permission granted under the regulations for the purposes of the zoning plan; or

        (ii)   an authority given in accordance with a condition of a permission referred to in subparagraph (i).

Civil penalty:

        (a)   for an aggravated contravention by an individual--5,000 penalty units; or

        (b)   for an individual in any other case--2,000 penalty units; or

        (c)   for an aggravated contravention by a body corporate--50,000 penalty units; or

        (d)   for a body corporate in any other case--20,000 penalty units.

    (3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply if circumstances prescribed for the purposes of subsection 38BA(5) exist in relation to the conduct.

 

38BC Conduct in zone without required notice: offence

    (1) A person commits an offence if:

        (a)   the person engages in conduct; and

        (b)   the conduct is engaged in in a zone; and

        (c)   the zoning plan for the zone requires that notice must be given to a specified body before the conduct is engaged in; and

        (d)   the person failed to give the specified body notice in accordance with the zoning plan before engaging in the conduct.

Penalty: 200 penalty units.

    (2) Strict liability applies to paragraphs (1)(b) and (c).

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

    (3) The fault element for paragraph (1)(d) is negligence.

Note: For negligence, see section 5.5 of the Criminal Code.

 

38BD Operation of fishing vessel in zone: offence
Operation of a fishing vessel prohibited or done without permission

    (1) A person commits an offence if:

        (a)   the person operates a vessel; and

        (b)   the person does so in a zone; and

        (c)   the vessel is a primary commercial fishing vessel; and

        (d)   the vessel is an Australian vessel; and

        (e)   the vessel is authorised, under a law of the Commonwealth or of a State (including by a licence granted under such a law), to fish using a particular fishing method or particular fishing apparatus; and

        (f)   under the zoning plan for the zone, fishing using that method or apparatus:

        (i)   is prohibited; or

        (ii)   requires permission; and
Note: Prohibited is defined in subsection 3(1).

        (g)   if it requires permission--the person is not authorised to fish using that method or apparatus by:

        (i)   a permission granted under the regulations for the purposes of the zoning plan; or

        (ii)   an authority given in accordance with a condition of a permission referred to in subparagraph (i).

Penalty: 500 penalty units.

    (2) Strict liability applies to paragraphs (1)(b), (c), (f) and (g).

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

    (3) Absolute liability applies to paragraphs (1)(d) and (e).

Note: For absolute liability, see section 6.2 of the Criminal Code.

Defence--vessel is transiting or anchoring

    (4) Subsection (1) does not apply if:

        (a)   the vessel is transiting through the zone; or

        (b)   the vessel is anchored in the zone; or

        (c)   the vessel is transiting to a place where the vessel is to anchor or transiting from a place where the vessel has been anchored.

Note: The defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection. See subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code.

    (5) For the purposes of subsection (4), a vessel is only transiting if:

        (a)   the vessel is taking the most direct practicable route:

        (i)   through the zone to a destination outside the zone; or

        (ii)   to or from a place of anchor; and

        (b)   the vessel is maintaining a speed of at least 5 knots.

Defence--emergency or unavoidable accident

    (6) Subsection (1) does not apply if:

        (a)   the operation of the vessel in the zone:

        (i)   is reasonably necessary to deal with an emergency involving a serious threat to human life or property; or

        (ii)   is a result of an unavoidable accident, other than an accident caused by reckless or negligent behaviour; and

        (b)   the Authority is notified of the operation, and the emergency or accident, no more than 48 hours after the vessel was first operated in the zone.

Note: The defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection. See subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code.

Division 3--Conduct in unzoned area of Marine Park

 

38CA Conduct in unzoned area: offence

    (1) A person commits an offence if the person engages in any of the following conduct in the unzoned area:

        (a)   building, assembling or fixing in position:

        (i)   a building or similar structure; or

        (ii)   a pontoon or other floating structure; or

(iii) a walkway, mooring facility or similar structure; or

        (iv)   a device for catching marine animals;

        (b)   operating a vessel (see subsection (3)) with provision for more than 8 sleeping berths in the one vicinity for more than:

        (i)   14 consecutive days; or

        (ii)   30 days in any period of 60 days;

        (c)   carrying out reclamation work, beach protection work, road building work or any other work;

        (d)   constructing a landing area;

        (e)   constructing a farming facility;

        (f)   conducting operations in or on, or maintaining:

        (i)   a building or similar structure; or

        (ii)   a pontoon or other floating structure; or

(iii) a walkway, mooring facility or similar structure;

        (g)   maintaining a device for catching marine animals;

        (h)   demolishing or removing:

        (i)   a building or similar structure; or

        (ii)   a pontoon or other floating structure; or

(iii) a walkway, mooring facility or similar structure;
and the person is not authorised to engage in the conduct by:

        (i)   a permission granted under the regulations for the purposes of this section; or

        (j)   an authority given in accordance with a condition of a permission referred to in paragraph (i).

Penalty:

        (a)   for an aggravated offence--imprisonment for 3 years or 2,000 penalty units, or both; or

        (b)   in any other case--1,000 penalty units.

Note: See also Division 8.

    (2) Strict liability applies to the physical element of circumstance in subsection (1), that the person engages in the conduct in the unzoned area.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

    (3) The references in subsection (1) and section 38CB to operating a vessel include references to the following:

        (a)   conducting operations in or on the vessel;

        (b)   using the vessel as a base for carrying on other activities;

        (c)   carrying out maintenance of the vessel.

 

38CB Conduct in unzoned area: civil penalty provision

A person must not engage in any of the following conduct in the unzoned area:

        (a)   building, assembling or fixing in position:

        (i)   a building or similar structure; or

        (ii)   a pontoon or other floating structure; or

(iii) a walkway, mooring facility or similar structure; or

        (iv)   a device for catching marine animals;

        (b)   operating a vessel (see subsection 38CA(3)) with provision for more than 8 sleeping berths in the one vicinity for more than:

        (i)   14 consecutive days; or

        (ii)   30 days in any period of 60 days;

        (c)   carrying out reclamation work, beach protection work, road building work or any other work;

        (d)   constructing a landing area;

        (e)   constructing a farming facility;

        (f)   conducting operations in or on, or maintaining:

        (i)   a building or similar structure; or

        (ii)   a pontoon or other floating structure; or

(iii) a walkway, mooring facility or similar structure;

        (g)   maintaining a device for catching marine animals;

        (h)   demolishing or removing:

        (i)   a building or similar structure; or

        (ii)   a pontoon or other floating structure; or

(iii) a walkway, mooring facility or similar structure;
unless the person is authorised to engage in the conduct by:

        (i)   a permission granted under the regulations for the purposes of section 38CA; or

        (j)   an authority given in accordance with a condition of a permission referred to in paragraph (i).

Civil penalty:

        (a)   for an aggravated contravention by an individual--20,000 penalty units; or

        (b)   for an individual in any other case--2,000 penalty units; or

        (c)   for an aggravated contravention by a body corporate--50,000 penalty units; or

        (d)   for a body corporate in any other case--5,000 penalty units.

Division 4--Conduct in Marine Park generally

 

38DA Vessel causing damage in Marine Park: offence

    (1) A person commits an offence if:

        (a)   the person is in charge of a vessel; and

        (b)   the vessel is in the Marine Park; and

        (c)   the person's charge of the vessel results in, or is likely to result in, the vessel causing damage to the environment in the Marine Park.

Penalty:

        (a)   for an aggravated offence--imprisonment for 3 years or 2,000 penalty units, or both; or

        (b)   in any other case--1,000 penalty units.

Note: See also Division 8.

    (2) Strict liability applies to paragraph (1)(b).

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

    (3) The fault element for paragraph (1)(c) is negligence.

Note: For negligence, see section 5.5 of the Criminal Code.

 

38DB Vessel causing damage in Marine Park: civil penalty provision

A person who is in charge of a vessel that is in the Marine Park must ensure that the person's charge of the vessel does not result in, and is not likely to result in, the vessel causing damage to the environment in the Marine Park.

Civil penalty:

        (a)   for an aggravated contravention by an individual--20,000 penalty units; or

        (b)   for an individual in any other case--2,000 penalty units; or

        (c)   for an aggravated contravention by a body corporate--50,000 penalty units; or

        (d)   for a body corporate in any other case--5,000 penalty units.

 

38DC Contravening order or direction: offence

    (1) A person commits an offence if:

        (a)   the Authority or another body gives the person an order or direction under the regulations; and

        (b)   the order or direction is of a kind declared by the regulations to be an order or direction to which this section applies; and

        (c)   the person engages in conduct; and

        (d)   the conduct contravenes the order or direction.

Penalty: 500 penalty units.

    (2) Absolute liability applies to paragraphs (1)(a) and (b).

Note: For absolute liability, see section 6.2 of the Criminal Code.

    (3) The fault element for paragraph (1)(d) is negligence.

Note: For negligence, see section 5.5 of the Criminal Code.

 

38DD Discharging waste: offence
Discharging waste

    (1) A person commits an offence if:

        (a)   the person discharges waste; and

        (b)   the waste is discharged in the Marine Park; and

        (c)   the person is not authorised to discharge the waste by:

        (i)   a permission granted under the regulations for the purposes of this section; or

        (ii)   an authority given in accordance with a condition of a permission referred to in subparagraph (i).

Penalty:

        (a)   for an aggravated offence--imprisonment for 3 years or 2,000 penalty units, or both; or

        (b)   in any other case--1,000 penalty units.

Note: See also Division 8.

    (2) The fault element for paragraph (1)(a) is negligence.

Note: For negligence, see section 5.5 of the Criminal Code.

    (3) Strict liability applies to paragraphs (1)(b) and (c).

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

Discharging waste: strict liability

    (4) A person commits an offence if:

        (a)   the person discharges waste; and

        (b)   the waste is discharged from a vessel; and

        (c)   the waste is discharged in the Marine Park; and

        (d)   the person is not authorised to discharge the waste by:

        (i)   a permission granted under the regulations for the purposes of this section; or

        (ii)   an authority given in accordance with a condition of a permission referred to in subparagraph (i).

Penalty: 500 penalty units.

    (5) Strict liability applies to subsection (4).

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

Defence--prescribed circumstances

    (6) Subsections (1) and (4) do not apply if circumstances prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this subsection exist in relation to the discharge. Any circumstances prescribed must be circumstances that relate to the discharge of sewage from vessels.

Note: The defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection. See subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code.

Defence--certain discharges of fish from vessels and aircraft

    (7) Subsections (1) and (4) do not apply to the discharge of waste from a vessel or aircraft if:

        (a)   the waste is fresh fish, or parts of fresh fish, caught in the Marine Park; and

        (b)   the waste is not discharged in a part of the Marine Park specified in the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph.

Note: The defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection. See subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code.

Defence--certain discharges from vessels, aircraft and platforms

    (8) Subsections (1) and (4) do not apply to the discharge of waste from a vessel, aircraft or platform if any of the following apply in relation to the discharge:

        (a)   it was for the purpose of securing the safety of the vessel, aircraft or platform;

        (b)   it was for the purpose of saving life at sea;

        (c)   it was for the purpose of combating a specific incident of pollution in order to minimise the damage from pollution and had been approved by:

        (i)   a prescribed officer within the meaning of subsection 3(2) of the Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983; or

        (ii)   the Authority under section 38DE.

Note: The defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection. See subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code.

Defence--discharge in zone where discharges do not require permission

    (9) Subsections (1) and (4) do not apply in relation to the discharge of waste in a zone if the discharge of waste is for a purpose for which, under the zoning plan for the zone, the zone may be used or entered without permission.

Note: The defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection. See subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code.

 

38DE Pollution-related approval

For the purposes of subparagraphs 38DD(8)(c)(ii), 38EA(7)(c)(ii) and 38EB(3)(c)(ii), the Authority may approve a proposed discharge of waste from a vessel, aircraft or platform if the Authority is satisfied that the discharge is for the purpose of combating a specific incident of pollution in order to minimise the damage from pollution.

Division 5--Conduct contravening conditions

 

38EA Conduct contravening condition of permission or authority: offence
Contravening condition of permission or authority

    (1) A person commits an offence if:

        (a)   the person is authorised to do something by:

        (i)   a permission granted under the regulations for the purposes of a provision of this Act or of a zoning plan; or

        (ii)   an authority given in accordance with a condition of a permission referred to in subparagraph (i); and

        (b)   the permission is subject to a condition; and

        (c)   the person engages in conduct; and

        (d)   the conduct contravenes the condition.

Penalty:

        (a)   for an aggravated offence--1,000 penalty units; or

        (b)   in any other case--500 penalty units.

    (2) Absolute liability applies to paragraphs (1)(a) and (b).

Note: For absolute liability, see section 6.2 of the Criminal Code.

    (3) The fault element for paragraph (1)(d) is negligence.

Note: For negligence, see section 5.5 of the Criminal Code.

Contravening condition of permission or authority: strict liability

    (4) A person commits an offence if:

        (a)   the person is authorised to do something by:

        (i)   a permission granted under the regulations for the purposes of a provision of this Act or of a zoning plan; or

        (ii)   an authority given in accordance with a condition of a permission referred to in subparagraph (i); and

        (b)   the permission is subject to a condition; and

        (c)   the person engages in conduct; and

        (d)   the conduct contravenes the condition.

Penalty: 60 penalty units.

    (5) Strict liability applies to subsection (4).

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

Defence--certain discharges of fish from vessels and aircraft

    (6) Subsections (1) and (4) do not apply to the discharge of waste from a vessel or aircraft if:

        (a)   the waste is fresh fish, or parts of fresh fish, caught in the Marine Park; and

        (b)   the waste is not discharged in a part of the Marine Park specified in the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph.

Note: The defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection. See subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code.

Defence--certain discharges from vessels, aircraft and platforms

    (7) Subsections (1) and (4) do not apply to the discharge of waste from a vessel, aircraft or platform if any of the following apply in relation to the discharge:

        (a)   it was for the purpose of securing the safety of the vessel, aircraft or platform;

        (b)   it was for the purpose of saving life at sea;

        (c)   it was for the purpose of combating a specific incident of pollution in order to minimise the damage from pollution and had been approved by:

        (i)   a prescribed officer within the meaning of subsection 3(2) of the Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983; or

        (ii)   the Authority under section 38DE.

Note: The defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection. See subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code.

 

38EB Conduct contravening condition of permission or authority: civil penalty provision

    (1) A person who is authorised to do something by:

        (a)   a permission granted under the regulations for the purposes of a provision of this Act or of a zoning plan; or

        (b)   an authority given in accordance with a condition of a permission referred to in paragraph (a);
must not engage in conduct that contravenes a condition of the permission.

Civil penalty:

        (a)   for an aggravated contravention by an individual--2,000 penalty units; or

        (b)   for an individual in any other case--1,000 penalty units; or

        (c)   for an aggravated contravention by a body corporate--20,000 penalty units; or

        (d)   for a body corporate in any other case--10,000 penalty units.

    (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to the discharge of waste from a vessel or aircraft if:

        (a)   the waste is fresh fish, or parts of fresh fish, caught in the Marine Park; and

        (b)   the waste is not discharged in a part of the Marine Park specified in the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph.

    (3) Subsection (1) does not apply to the discharge of waste from a vessel, aircraft or platform if any of the following apply:

        (a)   it was for the purpose of securing the safety of the vessel, aircraft or platform;

        (b)   it was for the purpose of saving life at sea;

        (c)   it was for the purpose of combating a specific incident of pollution in order to minimise the damage from pollution and had been approved by:

        (i)   a prescribed officer within the meaning of subsection 3(2) of the Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983; or

        (ii)   the Authority under section 38DE.

Division 6--Collective and vicarious liability

 

38FA Liability for vessel, aircraft or platform used in committing offence: offence

    (1) A person commits an offence if:

        (a)   a person is responsible (see subsection (4)) for a vessel, aircraft or platform; and

        (b)   the vessel, aircraft or platform is used in committing an offence against a provision of another Division of this Part; and

        (c)   the person failed to take all reasonable steps and to exercise due diligence to prevent the vessel, aircraft or platform being used in committing the offence.

Penalty: The penalty for which the person would have been liable had the person committed the offence referred to in paragraph (1)(b).

Note: See also Division 8.

    (2) Strict liability applies to paragraphs (1)(a) and (b).

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

    (3) In determining whether the person took all reasonable steps and exercised due diligence for the purposes of paragraph (1)(c), have regard to:

        (a)   any steps the person took to become satisfied that this Act would be complied with; and

        (b)   if the person was, or should have been, aware that there was a risk that the vessel, aircraft or platform would be used in committing an offence--any steps the person took to reduce or remove that risk.

    (4) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(a), each of the following persons is responsible for the vessel, aircraft or platform:

        (a)   the master of the vessel or the person in charge of the aircraft or platform;

        (b)   the owner or a co-owner, or an owner of any part of or share in, the vessel, aircraft or platform;

        (c)   a party to an agreement with a person referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) under which the party, or the party and the other person, may determine the activities for which the vessel, aircraft or platform is used;

        (d)   in relation to a primary commercial fishing vessel used in committing an offence constituted by conduct that is fishing:

        (i)   a person who, under a law of the Commonwealth, a State or Territory, holds a licence or other permission (however described and including one that is suspended) permitting the vessel to be used to take fish for commercial purposes; and

        (ii)   a person who, under a law of the Commonwealth, a State or Territory, holds a licence or other permission (however described and including one that is suspended) permitting the person to be in charge of the vessel's fishing operations;

        (e)   in relation to a dory used in committing an offence constituted by conduct that is fishing:

        (i)   the master of the primary commercial fishing vessel in association with which the dory is used; and

        (ii)   a person who, under a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory, holds a licence or other permission (however described and including one that is suspended) permitting the dory to be used in association with a primary commercial fishing vessel; and

(iii) a person who, under a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory, holds a licence or other permission (however described and including one that is suspended) permitting the primary commercial fishing vessel in association with which the dory is used to be used to take fish for commercial purposes; and

        (iv)   a person who, under a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory, holds a licence or other permission (however described and including one that is suspended) permitting the person to be in charge of the fishing operations of the primary commercial fishing vessel in association with which the dory is used.

 

38FB Liability for ship used in committing offence: offence

    (1) A person commits an offence if:

        (a)   the person is an owner of or the master of a vessel; and

        (b)   the vessel is used in committing an offence against a provision of another Division of this Part; and

        (c)   the conduct constituting the offence is engaged in in a zone; and

        (d)   the vessel is a ship within the meaning of the zoning plan for the zone.

Penalty: 500 penalty units.

    (2) Strict liability applies to subsection (1).

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

 

38FC Liability for vessel causing damage in Marine Park: offence

    (1) A person commits an offence if:

        (a)   the person is an owner of or the master of a vessel; and

        (b)   the vessel is used in committing an offence against section 38DA (vessel causing damage in Marine Park) or 38DD (discharging waste).

Penalty: 500 penalty units.

    (2) Strict liability applies to subsection (1).

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

 

38FD Liability of permission holder for conduct contravening permission: offence

    (1) A person commits an offence if:

        (a)   the person gives another person authority to engage in conduct; and

        (b)   the authority is given in accordance with a permission granted under the regulations for the purposes of a provision of this Act or of a zoning plan; and

        (c)   the permission is subject to a condition; and

        (d)   the other person commits an offence against section 38EA involving a contravention of the condition; and

        (e)   the person failed to take all reasonable steps and to exercise due diligence to prevent the other person contravening the condition.

Penalty: The penalty for which the person would have been liable had the person committed the offence referred to in paragraph (1)(d).

    (2) Strict liability applies to paragraphs (1)(a), (b), (c) and (d).

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

    (3) In determining whether the person took all reasonable steps and exercised due diligence for the purposes of paragraph (1)(e), have regard to:

        (a)   any steps the person took to become satisfied that the conditions of the permission would be complied with; and

        (b)   if the person was, or should have been, aware that there was a risk that the other person would contravene a condition of the permission--any steps the person took to reduce or remove that risk.

Division 7--Aggravated offences and contraventions

 

38GA Aggravated offences

    (1) A person commits an aggravated offence against a provision of this Part if the conduct the person engaged in that constituted the offence:

        (a)   was fishing that involved a primary commercial fishing vessel or a dory; or

        (b)   was navigating a vessel that is a ship within the meaning of the zoning plan for the zone in which the vessel was being navigated; or

        (c)   resulted in:

        (i)   the taking of or injury to an animal or plant that is a member of a protected species; or

        (ii)   serious harm to the environment in the Marine Park (see subsection (7)); or

        (d)   had the potential to result in serious harm to the environment in the Marine Park (see subsection (8)); or

        (e)   was done for a commercial purpose.

    (2) If the prosecution intends to prove an aggravated offence, the charge must allege the relevant aggravated offence.

    (3) In order to prove an aggravated offence, the prosecution must prove the following:

        (a)   if paragraph (1)(a) applies--that the defendant was reckless as to whether the conduct he or she engaged in was fishing;

        (b)   if paragraph (1)(b) applies--that the defendant was reckless as to whether the conduct he or she engaged in was navigating a vessel;

        (c)   if paragraph (1)(c) applies--that the defendant was reckless as to whether the conduct he or she engaged in had the result referred to in paragraph (1)(c);

        (d)   if paragraph (1)(d) applies--that the defendant was reckless as to whether the conduct he or she engaged in had the potential to result in serious harm to the environment in the Marine Park;

        (e)   if paragraph (1)(e) applies--that the defendant intended to engage in the conduct for a commercial purpose.

    (4) Strict liability applies to:

        (a)   if paragraph (1)(a) applies--the physical element of circumstance, that the fishing involved a primary commercial fishing vessel or a dory; and

        (b)   if paragraph (1)(b) applies--the physical element of circumstance, that the vessel is a ship within the meaning of the zoning plan for the zone in which it was being navigated; and

        (c)   if subparagraph (1)(c)(i) applies--the physical element of circumstance, that the animal or plant is a member of a protected species.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

    (5) If, in a prosecution for an aggravated offence against a provision of this Part, the trier of fact:

        (a)   is not satisfied that the defendant has committed an aggravated offence against that provision; and

        (b)   is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant has committed an offence against that provision;
the trier of fact may find the defendant not guilty of the aggravated offence but guilty of an offence against that provision.

    (6) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), navigate includes moor, or anchor, in the course of navigation.

    (7) In determining for the purposes of subparagraph (1)(c)(ii) whether conduct has resulted in serious harm to the environment in the Marine Park, have regard to the following:

        (a)   the harm;

        (b)   the size of the affected environment;

        (c)   the sensitivity of the affected environment;

        (d)   the significance of the affected environment;

        (e)   the management objectives contained in the zoning plan for the zone in which the person engaged in the conduct;

        (f)   whether the harm is irreversible;

        (g)   the measures required to remedy the harm.

    (8) In determining for the purposes of paragraph (1)(d) whether conduct had the potential to result in serious harm to the environment in the Marine Park, have regard to the potential for the conduct to result in serious harm for the purposes of subparagraph (1)(c)(ii).

 

38GB Aggravated contraventions

    (1) A contravention of a civil penalty provision by a person is an aggravated contravention if the conduct the person engaged in that constituted the contravention:

        (a)   was fishing that involved a primary commercial fishing vessel or a dory; or

        (b)   was navigating a vessel that is a ship within the meaning of the zoning plan for the zone in which the vessel is being navigated; or

        (c)   resulted in:

        (i)   the taking of or injury to an animal or plant that is a member of a protected species; or

        (ii)   serious harm to the environment in the Marine Park; or

        (d)   had the potential to result in serious harm to the environment in the Marine Park; or

        (e)   was done for a commercial purpose.

    (2) If the Authority, on behalf of the Commonwealth, intends to prove that the person has committed an aggravated contravention, the Authority's application to the Federal Court under section 61AIA in relation to the contravention must specify the relevant aggravated contravention.

    (3) If, in proceedings for a declaration of contravention in relation to an aggravated contravention of a provision of this Part, the Federal Court:

        (a)   is not satisfied that the person has committed an aggravated contravention against that provision; and

        (b)   is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the person has contravened that provision;
the Federal Court may make a pecuniary penalty order against the person not for the aggravated contravention but for the contravention of that provision.

    (4) Subsection 38GA(6) (about navigation) also applies for the purposes of paragraph (1)(b).

    (5) Subsections 38GA(7) and (8) (about serious harm) also apply for the purposes of subparagraph (1)(c)(ii) and paragraph (1)(d).

Division 8--Miscellaneous

 

38HA Commencement of certain prosecutions: time limit

    (1) A prosecution of an individual for an offence against a provision of this Part, the maximum penalty for which:

        (a)   does not include a term of imprisonment (otherwise than because of section 38HC, 38HD, 38HE or 38HF); or

        (b)   includes a term of imprisonment of 6 months or less;
may be commenced at any time within 2 years of the commission of the offence.

Note: Subsection (1) extends by a year the deadline that would otherwise apply to these offences under section 15B of the Crimes Act 1914. For offences with a maximum penalty of more than 6 months' imprisonment, section 15B of that Act means that there is no deadline.

    (2) A prosecution of a body corporate for an offence against a provision of this Part, the maximum penalty for which is a fine of 150 penalty units or less, may be commenced at any time within 2 years of commission of the offence.

Note: Subsection (2) extends by a year the deadline that would otherwise apply to these offences under section 15B of the Crimes Act 1914. For offences with a maximum penalty of more than 150 penalty units, section 15B of that Act means that there is no deadline.

    (3) In applying subsection 15B(1) of the Crimes Act 1914 to an offence against a provision of this Part, disregard the effect of sections 38HC, 38HD, 38HE and 38HF.

 

38HB Commencement of certain prosecutions: Attorney-General's consent

    (1) Proceedings for an offence committed by a person against a provision of Division 6 of this Part must not be commenced without the Attorney-General's written consent if the person is not an Australian citizen, an Australian resident or a body corporate incorporated by or under a law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory.

    (2) In deciding whether to consent for the purposes of this section, the Attorney-General must have regard to the obligations of Australia under international law, including obligations under any agreement or arrangement between Australia and another country or countries.

 

38HC Conduct in the exclusive economic zone: offences other than Division 6 offences

    (1) This section applies in relation to an offence committed by a person against a provision of this Part (other than a provision of Division 6) if:

        (a)   the conduct constituting the offence occurs in the exclusive economic zone of Australia; and

        (b)   none of the following apply:

        (i)   the person is an Australian citizen, an Australian resident or a body corporate incorporated by or under a law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory;

        (ii)   an Australian vessel is used in committing the offence;

(iii) an Australian aircraft is used in committing the offence;

        (iv)   a platform located in the Great Barrier Reef Region is used in committing the offence; and

        (c)   the penalty set out at the foot of the provision for an offence against the provision includes imprisonment.

    (2) Despite the penalty set out at the foot of the provision, the penalty for the offence committed by the person does not include imprisonment.

 

38HD Conduct in the exclusive economic zone: Division 6 offences

    (1) This section applies in relation to an offence (a vicarious liability offence) committed by a person against a provision of Division 6 of this Part if:

        (a)   the conduct constituting the offence (the underlying offence) to which the vicarious liability offence relates occurs in the exclusive economic zone of Australia; and

        (b)   the person is not an Australian citizen, an Australian resident or a body corporate incorporated by or under a law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory; and

        (c)   the penalty set out at the foot of the provision for an offence against the provision includes imprisonment.

    (2) Despite the penalty set out at the foot of the provision, the penalty for the offence committed by the person does not include imprisonment.

 

38HE Conduct in the territorial sea: offences other than Division 6 offences

    (1) This section applies in relation to an offence committed by a person against a provision of this Part (other than a provision of Division 6) if:

        (a)   the result of the conduct constituting the offence is pollution of the marine environment (however described); and

        (b)   the conduct occurs in the territorial sea of Australia; and

        (c)   none of the following apply:

        (i)   the person is an Australian citizen, an Australian resident or a body corporate incorporated by or under a law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory;

        (ii)   an Australian vessel is used in committing the offence;

(iii) an Australian aircraft is used in committing the offence;

        (iv)   a platform located in the Great Barrier Reef Region is used in committing the offence; and

        (d)   the penalty set out at the foot of the provision for an offence against that provision includes imprisonment.

    (2) Despite the penalty set out at the foot of the provision, the penalty for the offence committed by the person only includes imprisonment if the prosecution proves that:

        (a)   the person intended to engage in the conduct that constituted the offence; and

        (b)   the pollution is serious.

 

38HF Conduct in the territorial sea: Division 6 offences

    (1) This section applies in relation to an offence (a vicarious liability offence) committed by a person against a provision of Division 6 of this Part if:

        (a)   the result of the conduct constituting the offence (the underlying offence) to which the vicarious liability offence relates is pollution of the marine environment (however described); and

        (b)   the conduct constituting the underlying offence occurs in the territorial sea of Australia; and

        (c)   the person is not an Australian citizen, an Australian resident or a body corporate incorporated by or under a law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory; and

        (d)   the penalty set out at the foot of the provision for an offence against that provision includes imprisonment.

    (2) Despite the penalty set out at the foot of the provision, the penalty for the offence committed by the person only includes imprisonment if the prosecution proves that:

        (a)   the person who engaged in the conduct that constituted the underlying offence intended to engage in that conduct; and

        (b)   the pollution is serious.

 

25 After subsection 39FA(1)
Insert:

Civil penalty for failing to collect charge

(1A) A holder of a chargeable permission must not fail to collect charge from a visitor if:

        (a)   the holder provides a service to the visitor under the permission; and

        (b)   charge is due and payable by the visitor in relation to the permission.

Civil penalty:

        (a)   for an individual--100 penalty units; or

        (b)   for a body corporate--500 penalty units.

 

26 Subsection 39FA(2)
Omit "subsection (1)", substitute "subsections (1) and (1A)".

 

27 At the end of subsection 39FA(5)
Add "or for a contravention of subsection (1A)".

 

28 Subsection 39FA(6)
After "subsection (1)", insert "or a court makes a declaration of contravention against a person for a contravention of subsection (1A)".

 

29 At the end of subsection 39FA(7)
Add "or the amount of any pecuniary penalty order made against the person for the contravention of subsection (1A)".

 

30 After subsection 39FB(2)
Insert:

Civil penalty for failing to pay collected amount on time

(2A) A holder of a chargeable permission must not fail to pay a collected amount to the Authority before or on the day it is due and payable.

Civil penalty:

        (a)   for an individual--20 penalty units; or

        (b)   for a body corporate--100 penalty units.

Note: The following heading to subsection 39FB(1) is inserted "Offence for failing to pay collected amount on time".

 

31 Subsection 39FB(3)
After "subsection (1)", insert "or a court makes a declaration of contravention against a person for a contravention of subsection (2A)".

Note: The following heading to subsection 39FB(3) is inserted "Penalty for failing to pay collected amount on time".

 

32 At the end of subsection 39FB(4)
Add "or the amount of any pecuniary penalty order made against the person for the contravention of subsection (2A)".

 

33 At the end of Division 2A of Part VA
Add:

 

39FF False or misleading representation in relation to tourism services: offence

    (1) A person commits an offence if:

        (a)   the person makes a false or misleading representation; and

        (b)   the person is reckless as to whether the representation is false or misleading; and

        (c)   the representation relates to:

        (i)   a person's liability to pay a tax, charge or fee (however described) imposed by the Commonwealth for purposes connected with use of or entry to the Marine Park; or

        (ii)   the amount of any such tax, charge or fee; and

        (d)   the representation is made in the course of providing a tourism-related service (see subsection (3)).

Penalty: 1,000 penalty units.

    (2) In a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1), it is not necessary to prove that the representation expressly refers to the Marine Park or to an imposition by the Commonwealth.

    (3) For the purposes of subsection (1), a tourism-related service means:

        (a)   a service provided on a commercial basis to or for the benefit of tourists, or in relation to tourism, in Australia; and

        (b)   any action incidental to such a service (for example, advertising a service).

 

34 Subsections 39G(1), (1A) and (1B)
Repeal the subsections, substitute:

    (1) If any charge payable by a person (other than a visitor) remains unpaid after the time when it became due for payment, the person is liable to pay, by way of penalty, an amount (the late payment penalty) equal to:

        (a)   the amount worked out at the rate of 20% per annum of the amount unpaid, as at the time the amount unpaid became due for payment; or

        (b)   if the amount worked out under paragraph (a) is less than $250--$250.

(1A) If a collected amount payable by a person remains unpaid after the time when it became due for payment, the person is liable to pay, by way of penalty, an amount (the late payment penalty) equal to:

        (a)   the amount worked out at the rate of 20% per annum of the amount unpaid, as at the time the amount unpaid became due for payment; or

        (b)   if the amount worked out under paragraph (a) is less than $250--$250.

(1B) If a penalty amount payable by a person remains unpaid after the time when it became due for payment, the person is liable to pay, by way of penalty, an amount (the late payment penalty) equal to:

        (a)   the amount worked out at the rate of 20% per annum of the amount unpaid, as at the time the amount unpaid became due for payment; or

        (b)   if the amount worked out under paragraph (a) is less than $250--$250.


Part 2--Transitional, application and saving provisions

 

35 Definition
In this Part:

Marine Park regulations means regulations made under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975.

 

36 Mining or drilling in Great Barrier Reef Region (sections 38AA and 38AB)
A reference in section 38AA or 38AB of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975, as in force after the commencement of this Schedule, to a permission granted under the regulations for the purposes of section 38AA includes a reference to an approval that meets the following conditions:

        (a)   the approval was given by the Authority under subsection 38(3) of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 as in force before the commencement of this Schedule;

        (b)   either:

        (i)   the approval was in force immediately before the commencement of this Schedule; or

        (ii)   if, at the time this Schedule commenced, the approval was suspended--the suspension has been removed under Marine Park regulations;

        (c)   the approval is not suspended under Marine Park regulations;

        (d)   the approval has not expired or been revoked under Marine Park regulations.

 

37 Conduct in zone (sections 38BA and 38BB)
A reference in section 38BA or 38BB of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975, as in force after the commencement of this Act, to a permission granted under the regulations for the purposes of the zoning plan includes a reference to a permission that meets the following conditions:

        (a)   the permission was granted or transferred to a person under Marine Park regulations before the commencement of this Schedule;

        (b)   the permission was, immediately before the commencement of this Schedule, a permission of a kind declared by Marine Park regulations to be a permission to which section 38B, 38CB or 38MA of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 applied;

        (c)   either:

        (i)   the permission was in force immediately before the commencement of this Schedule; or

        (ii)   if, at the time this Schedule commenced, the permission was suspended--the suspension has been removed under Marine Park regulations;

        (d)   the permission is not suspended under Marine Park regulations;

        (e)   the permission has not expired or been revoked under Marine Park regulations.

 

38 Conduct in unzoned area (sections 38CA and 38CB)
A reference in section 38CA or 38CB of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975, as in force after the commencement of this Schedule, to a permission granted under the regulations for the purposes of section 38CA includes a reference to a permission that meets the following conditions:

        (a)   the permission was granted or transferred to a person under Marine Park regulations before the commencement of this Schedule;

        (b)   the permission was, immediately before the commencement of this Schedule, a permission of a kind declared by Marine Park regulations to be a permission to which section 38F of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 applied;

        (c)   either:

        (i)   the permission was in force immediately before the commencement of this Schedule; or

        (ii)   if, at the time this Schedule commenced, the permission was suspended--the suspension has been removed under Marine Park regulations;

        (d)   the permission is not suspended under Marine Park regulations;

        (e)   the permission has not expired or been revoked under Marine Park regulations.

 

39 Contravening order or direction (section 38DC)
(1) A reference in section 38DC of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975, as in force after the commencement of this Schedule, to an order or direction of a kind declared by the regulations to be an order or direction to which section 38DC applies includes a reference to an order that meets the following conditions:

        (a)   the order was given before the commencement of this Schedule;

        (b)   the order was, immediately before the commencement of this Schedule, an order of a kind declared by the regulations to be an order to which section 38H of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 applied;

        (c)   the order was in force immediately before the commencement of this Schedule;

        (d)   the order has not expired or been revoked.

    (2) A reference in section 38DC of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975, as in force after the commencement of this Schedule, to an order or direction of a kind declared by the regulations to be an order or direction to which section 38DC applies includes a reference to a direction that meets the following conditions:

        (a)   the direction was given before the commencement of this Schedule;

        (b)   the direction was, immediately before the commencement of this Schedule, a direction of a kind declared by Marine Park regulations to be a direction to which section 38E of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 applied;

        (c)   the direction was in force immediately before the commencement of this Schedule;

        (d)   the direction has not expired or been revoked.

 

40 Discharging waste (section 38DD)
A reference in section 38DD of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975, as in force after the commencement of this Schedule, to a permission granted under the regulations for the purposes of that section includes a reference to a permission that meets the following conditions:

        (a)   the permission was granted or transferred to a person under Marine Park regulations before the commencement of this Schedule;

        (b)   the permission was, immediately before the commencement of this Schedule, a permission of a kind declared by Marine Park regulations to be a permission to which section 38B or 38J of that Act applied;

        (c)   either:

        (i)   the permission was in force immediately before the commencement of this Schedule; or

        (ii)   if, at the time this Schedule commenced, the permission was suspended--the suspension has been removed under Marine Park regulations;

        (d)   the permission is not suspended under Marine Park regulations;

        (e)   the permission has not expired or been revoked under Marine Park regulations.

 

41 Conduct contravening condition of permission or authority (sections 38EA and 38EB)
A reference in section 38EA or 38EB of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975, as in force after the commencement of this Schedule, to a permission granted under the regulations for the purposes of a provision of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 or of a zoning plan includes a reference to a permission that meets the conditions in item 27, 28, 29 or 31.

 

42 Liability of permission holder for conduct contravening permission (section 38FD)
A reference in section 38FD of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975, as in force after the commencement of this Schedule, to a permission granted under the regulations for the purposes of a provision of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 or of a zoning plan includes a reference to a permission that meets the conditions in item 27, 28, 29 or 31.

 


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