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Tuesday, 22nd November 2011

New Laws To Protect Antarctica

Ships will be banned from carrying heavy grade oils through Antarctica after the passing of laws introduced by the Gillard Government through Parliament.
The possibility of an oil spill in the Antarctic Area is relatively high and we cannot risk the pristine environment being damaged by an oil spill.
Ships navigating these waters face a number of risks including icebergs, sea ice and uncharted waters.
The changes will reduce the possibility of oil spills which could take years to clean up and have damaging consequences for wildlife.
The ban will not apply to vessels engaged in securing the safety of ships or saving life at sea and will mainly impact on tourist ships which use ports in South America.
Heavy grade oils are more environmentally hazardous than other marine oils as they are slow to break down, particularly in cold polar waters.
The bill also provides protection for people or organisations which assist in the cleanup following a spill of fuel oil from a ship.
Fuel oil spills from ships can have extremely high costs. The clean-up costs after the spill of 270 tonnes of fuel oil from the Pacific Adventurer off the coast of Queensland in March 2009 was more than $30 million dollars.
It’s important that people or organisations who respond to an oil spill are protected from liability if they act reasonably and in good faith.
Although it one of the harshest environments on the planet, Antarctica is also one of the most vulnerable.
The Bill imposes a maximum penalty of $220,000 on both the master and owner of a ship in the event of a breach this ban.
 
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Electorate Office

334a Marrickville Rd
Marrickville NSW 2204

Phone: 02 9564 3588

Parliament House Office

Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Phone: 02 6277 7700

Phone: (02) 9564 3588
Fax: (02) 9564 1734
Email: A.Albanese.MP@aph.gov.au

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