(1) In (a) 1995-96, (b) 1996-1997, (c) 1997-98, (d) 1998-99, (e) 1999-2000 and (f) the first half of 2000-2001, how many (i) single voyage and (ii) continual voyage permits were (a) issued and (b) rejected by his Department.

(2) What are the criteria for the issue of a (a) single voyage and (b) continuous voyage permit.

(3) What investigations does he or his Department undertake in assessing compliance with the criteria prior to the issue of a permit.

(4) If investigations in the years referred to in part (1) have led to the rejection of an application for a permit, what were the grounds for rejecting the application in each case.

(1) (a) (i) and (ii) Number of Single or Continuing Voyage Permits issued

Note:

Figures for the years 1990-91 to 1996-97 are for permits used.

Figures for the years 1997-98 onwards relate to permits issued.

Prior to 1998 no CVPs were issued

(1) (b) (i) (ii) The number of Single or Continuing Voyage Permits rejected

Note: The Department does not keep records on the number of applications withdrawn by applicants. A substantial number of applications due for rejection are withdrawn and therefore will not show in the rejected figures.

(2) (a) and (b) The Ministerial “Guidelines for granting licences and permits to engage in Australia's domestic shipping trade” states that the criteria for the issuing of permits are as follows:

“Single and Continuing Voyage Permits

Permits, either a single voyage permit (SVP) or a continuing voyage permit (CVP) may be issued to unlicensed vessels to engage in a trade between ports where:

(a) no licensed ship is available for the service; or

(b) that the service as carried out by the licensed ships is inadequate; and the Minister is satisfied that it is in the public interest to allow an unlicensed ship to engage in that trade.”

(3) The Department contacts all relevant licensed vessel operators or trade managers to determine the availability of licensed vessels. The availability of licensed vessels is determined on a case by case basis and would include consideration of such factors as whether a licensed ship can meet the supply, production, or service obligations that necessitate the making of the application. Technical characteristics will also be relevant, such as, the vessel capacity, its adequacy in terms of cargo compatibility (eg contamination), its draft, and any port or loading restrictions.

The public interest is assessed for each permit application on the merits of the case. In the case of tankers and dry bulk vessels satisfactory inspection reports are required to satisfy the public interest test. These inspection reports are forwarded to AMSA to verify that all documents are in order.

(4) In each case the permit applications were refused because of the availability of licensed vessels. Applicants are generally well aware of the requirements for granting permits as detailed in the “Guidelines for granting licences and permits to engage in Australia's domestic shipping trade”. Accordingly, we would not generally expect applicants to seek permits for vessels that do not meet these requirements.