Why has Australia signed, but not yet ratified the Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships.

The Protocol related to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships is technically complex.

So far only one non-maritime State has ratified the Protocol.

The next step is for the Marine and Ports Council of Australia to consider the implementation of the Protocol in conjunction with the Convention.

Why has Australia signed, but not yet ratified, the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships.

The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships is a technically complex convention.

So far only 5 non-maritime states have ratified the convention.

My department as a first step towards implementation has conducted a detailed survey of the need for shore reception facilities as the provision of adequate shore reception facilities is a prerequisite to becoming a party to the convention.

The next step is for the Marine and Ports Council of Australia to consider the implementation of the Convention in Australia.

Why has Australia signed, but not yet ratified, the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage.

Following agreement reached at the last Premier's Conference Government has agreed to the drafting of legislation to implement the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage. Upon passage of this legislation through the Parliament Australia will be able to ratify this Convention.

Why has Australia signed, but not yet ratified, the International Convention relating to Intervention on the High Seas in Cases of Oil Pollution Casualties.

Following agreement reached at the last Premier's Conference Government has agreed to the drafting of legislation to implement the International Convention relating to Intervention on the High Seas in Cases of Oil Pollution Casualties and the Protocol Relating to Intervention on the High Seas in Cases of Marine Pollution by Substances other than Oil. Upon passage of this legislation through the Parliament Australia will be able to ratify both the Convention and the Protocol.

Why has Australia signed, but not yet ratified, the Convention on the International Recognition of Rights in Aircraft.

Australia signed the Convention on the International Recognition of Rights in Aircraft (Geneva Convention or 'Mortgage Convention') on 9 June 1950 but has not ratified it- Approval in principle was given to ratification in 1961 but the proposal was not proceeded with. Considerable constitutional and legal difficulties were involved in giving effect to the Convention in Australia, particularly in creating a paramount Commonwealth register of interests in aircraft and in relation to existing requirements for registration of mortgages or chattels generally in each State and Territory. The practical advantages to Australia in becoming a party to the Convention, mainly by way of assisting financing the purchase of large aircraft, were not considered sufficient to outweigh the difficulties involved in preparing the necessary legislation. The fact that a relatively small number of States (41) have ratified the Convention was also a factor in this decision.

State and Territory law require the registration of mortgages and other interests in aircraft to ensure their validity as against third parties such as judgment creditors and liquidators in the case of companies.

Why has Australia signed, but not yet ratified, the Convention on the Prohibition of Military or any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques.

The question of ratification of the ENMOD Convention is a complicated one involving scientific, legal and military considerations. Interested Government Departments, in consultation with the Department of Foreign Affairs, are still studying closely the implications of any decision by Australia to ratify the Convention.