Mr ALBANESE (Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government) (9:59 AM) —I move:

The purpose of this bill is to amend three existing acts consequential upon the Protection of the Sea (Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage) Bill 2008, to be known as the ‘bunker oil bill’.

The bunker oil bill will give effect to Australia’s commitment to ratify the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, generally known as the ‘bunkers convention’.

The convention will come into force internationally on 21 November 2008.

Amendments to the Admiralty Act 1988 will confer jurisdiction on the Federal Court and state and territory Supreme Courts to hear and determine matters arising under the bunker oil bill.

Amendments to the Protection of the Sea (Civil Liability) Act 1981 will ensure that there is no duplication of insurance requirements between that act and the bunker oil bill.

Amendments to the Protection of the Sea (Powers of Intervention) Act 1981 are intended to ensure that, even if the owner or master of a ship is the subject of a direction under that act, the registered owner of the ship will remain liable for compensation costs under the bunker oil bill and there will be no effect on court proceedings under the bunker oil bill.

I commend the bill to the House.

Debate (on motion by Mr Haase) adjourned.