2019

The Parliament of the

Commonwealth of Australia

THE SENATE

Presented and read a first time

Great Australian Bight Environment Protection Bill 2019

No.      , 2019

(Senator Hanson-Young)

A Bill for an Act to protect the Great Australian Bight, and for related purposes

Contents

Part 1—Preliminary                                                                                                              1

1............ Short title............................................................................................. 1

2............ Commencement................................................................................... 2

3............ Objects................................................................................................ 2

4............ Application of this Act........................................................................ 2

5............ Definitions.......................................................................................... 3

6............ Meaning of Commonwealth Great Australian Bight area .................. 4

Part 2—Prohibiting mining operations in the Commonwealth Great Australian Bight area      6

7............ Mining operations in the Commonwealth Great Australian Bight area—offence     6

8............ Mining operations in the Commonwealth Great Australian Bight area—civil penalty              7

9............ Aggravated offence or contravention—matters to have regard to in determining serious harm to the environment  8

Part 3—Enforcement                                                                                                            9

10.......... Appointment of inspectors.................................................................. 9

11.......... Monitoring powers............................................................................. 9

12.......... Investigation powers......................................................................... 10

13.......... Civil penalty provisions.................................................................... 11

14.......... Infringement notices.......................................................................... 12

15.......... Injunctions........................................................................................ 13

Part 4—Miscellaneous                                                                                                        14

16.......... Compensation for acquisition of property......................................... 14

17.......... Minister must nominate the Great Australian Bight to be listed as a World Heritage Site        14

A Bill for an Act to protect the Great Australian Bight, and for related purposes

The Parliament of Australia enacts: