Source: https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2012A00090
Timestamp: 2019-11-19 20:21:36
Document Index: 401674711

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 4', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 5', 'art 5', 'art 5']

Antarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Amendment Act 2012
Details: C2012A00090
- C2012A00090
Act No. 90 of 2012 as made
An Act to amend the Antarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Act 1980, and for other purposes
Originating Bill: Antarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Amendment Bill 2011
C2012A00090
Schedule 1—Implementation of Measure 4 (2004) 5
Part 1—Safety approvals 5
Antarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Act 1980 5
Antarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Act 1980 13
Schedule 2—Implementation of Annex VI to the Madrid Protocol 18
Part 1—Environmental protection approvals 18
Antarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Act 1980 18
Part 2—Environmental emergencies etc. 40
Antarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Act 1980 40
Part 3—Amendment relating to safety approvals 56
Antarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Act 1980 56
Part 4—Application and savings provisions 57
Schedule 3—Implementation of Measure 15 (2009) 59
Antarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Act 1980 59
Schedule 4—Amendments commencing on the day after Royal Assent 65
Antarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Act 1980 65
This Act may be cited as the Antarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Amendment Act 2012.
(b) the day Measure 4 (2004), adopted by the XXVIIth Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting at Cape Town on 4 June 2004, comes into force for Australia.
(a) immediately after the commencement of the provision(s) covered by table item 9; and
(b) immediately after Measure 4 (2004), adopted by the XXVIIth Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting at Cape Town on 4 June 2004, comes into force for Australia.
(b) the day Annex VI to the Madrid Protocol, attached to Measure 1 (2005) adopted by the XXVIIIth Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting at Stockholm on 17 June 2005, comes into force for Australia.
The Minister must announce by notice in the Gazette the day the Annex comes into force for Australia.
(b) immediately after Annex VI to the Madrid Protocol, attached to Measure 1 (2005) adopted by the XXVIIIth Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting at Stockholm on 17 June 2005, comes into force for Australia.
(b) the start of the day Annex VI to the Madrid Protocol, attached to Measure 1 (2005) adopted by the XXVIIIth Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting at Stockholm on 17 June 2005, comes into force for Australia.
(b) the day Measure 15 (2009), adopted by the XXXIInd Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting at Baltimore on 17 April 2009, comes into force for Australia.
non‑State operator means a person who is not a Contracting Party to the Treaty.
safety approval means a safety approval granted under section 13AC.
Part 3A—Safety approvals
This Part deals with safety approvals.
A non‑State operator may apply for a safety approval in relation to an activity (other than a mining activity) to be carried on in the Antarctic.
The Minister may grant the approval if the Minister is satisfied that the operator has or will have certain contingency plans, and insurance or other arrangements, in relation to the activity.
Mandatory conditions relating to those matters are imposed on all safety approvals and those conditions cannot be varied or revoked. The Minister may also impose further conditions on a safety approval, and may vary or revoke those conditions.
If the Minister is satisfied that it is necessary to do so, the Minister may vary a safety approval on his or her own initiative or at the request of the holder of the approval.
The Minister may suspend or revoke a safety approval if the Minister is satisfied that there has been non‑compliance with the conditions imposed on the approval or that the suspension or revocation is appropriate in all the circumstances.
The Minister must cause a register of safety approvals to be kept.
Division 2—Obtaining a safety approval
13AB Application for safety approval
(1) A non‑State operator may apply to the Minister for a safety approval in relation to an activity (other than a mining activity) that is to be carried on in the Antarctic.
(2) The application must be in the form approved, in writing, by the Minister.
(3) The Minister may, by written notice, request the applicant to give the Minister, within the period specified in the notice, further information in relation to the application.
(a) a request is made under subsection (3); and
(b) the applicant does not give the requested information within the period specified in the notice;
the Minister may refuse to grant the safety approval under section 13AC.
(5) An applicant may, by written notice given to the Minister, withdraw the application at any time before the Minister makes a decision on the application.
(1) If a non‑State operator applies for a safety approval under section 13AB in relation to an activity, the Minister may grant the approval.
(2) The Minister must not grant the approval unless the Minister is satisfied that:
(a) the operator has an appropriate contingency plan, and sufficient arrangements, for health and safety, search and rescue, and medical care and evacuation in relation to the activity; and
(b) the operator has or will have adequate insurance, or other arrangements, that will cover any costs associated with search and rescue, and medical care and evacuation, in relation to the activity.
(1) If the Minister grants a non‑State operator a safety approval under section 13AC in relation to an activity, the Minister must give written notice of the decision to the operator.
(b) the nature of the activity; and
(c) the conditions imposed under section 13AE; and
(d) any other conditions imposed under section 13AF at the time of the grant; and
(e) any other matters relating to the approval that the Minister considers appropriate.
(3) If the Minister refuses to grant a non‑State operator a safety approval under section 13AC, the Minister must give the person written notice of the decision and the reasons for the decision.
Division 3—Conditions of safety approvals
If the Minister grants a non‑State operator a safety approval under section 13AC in relation to an activity, the following conditions are imposed on the approval:
(a) a condition that the operator must have an appropriate contingency plan, and sufficient arrangements, for health and safety, search and rescue, and medical care and evacuation in relation to the activity;
(b) a condition that the operator must have adequate insurance, or other arrangements, that will cover any costs associated with search and rescue, and medical care and evacuation, in relation to the activity.
(1) Subject to subsection (5), the Minister may at any time:
(a) impose conditions, or additional conditions, on a safety approval; or
(b) vary or revoke conditions imposed on a safety approval (other than the conditions imposed under section 13AE).
(2) The Minister’s power under subsection (1) may be exercised:
(b) at the request of the holder of a safety approval.
Request that condition be imposed etc.
(3) The holder of a safety approval may request the Minister to impose a condition on, or to vary or revoke a condition imposed on, the approval.
(4) The request must be made in writing and set out the reasons for the making of the request.
(5) If a request is made under subsection (3), the Minister must not impose a condition on, or vary or revoke a condition imposed on, the safety approval unless the Minister is satisfied that the reasons set out in the request justify the imposition, variation or revocation.
Notice of decision etc.
(6) If the Minister imposes a condition on, or varies or revokes a condition imposed on, a safety approval after it is granted:
(a) the Minister must give the holder of the approval written notice of the imposition, variation or revocation; and
(b) the imposition, variation or revocation takes effect on the day specified in the notice (which must be at least 5 days after the day on which the notice is given).
(a) the holder of a safety approval makes a request under subsection (3); and
(b) the Minister refuses to comply with the request;
the Minister must give the holder written notice of the decision and the reasons for the decision.
Division 4—Variation, suspension and revocation of safety approvals
Variation on Minister’s own initiative
(1) The Minister may, on the Minister’s own initiative, vary a safety approval if the Minister is satisfied that it is necessary to do so.
(2) The holder of a safety approval may request the Minister to vary the approval.
(3) The request must be made in writing and set out the reasons for the making of the request.
(4) If a request is made under subsection (2), the Minister may vary the safety approval if the Minister is satisfied that the reasons set out in the request justify the variation.
(5) If a safety approval is varied under subsection (1) or (4):
(a) the Minister must give the holder of the approval written notice of the variation; and
(b) the variation takes effect on the day specified in the notice (which must be at least 5 days after the day on which the notice is given).
(a) the holder of a safety approval makes a request under subsection (2); and
(1) The Minister may, by written notice given to the holder of a safety approval, suspend or revoke the approval if:
(a) the Minister is satisfied that a condition imposed on the approval has not been, or is not being, complied with; or
(b) the Minister considers the suspension or revocation is appropriate in all the circumstances.
When suspension or revocation takes effect
(2) If a safety approval is suspended or revoked under subsection (1), the suspension or revocation takes effect on the day specified in the notice (which must be at least 5 days after the day on which the notice is given).
Period of suspension etc.
(3) If a safety approval is suspended under subsection (1), the notice must specify the period of suspension (which must not be longer than 90 days after the day on which the suspension takes effect).
(a) a safety approval in relation to an activity is suspended under subsection (1); and
(b) proceedings relating to either of the following are started while the approval is suspended:
(i) an offence against this Act that relates to the carrying on of the activity;
(ii) a contravention of a civil penalty provision that relates to the carrying on of the activity;
then, despite subsection (3), the period of suspension continues until the proceedings (including any appeal) are completed.
(5) The suspension of a safety approval does not prevent its revocation.
(1) The Minister must cause to be kept a register of safety approvals granted under this Act.
(2) The register must include the following information about a safety approval:
(a) the name of the holder of the approval;
(b) the nature of the activity to which the approval relates;
(c) the conditions imposed on the approval;
(4) The regulations may make provision for, or in relation to, the register.
The regulations may provide for the monitoring of an activity in relation to which a safety approval has been granted.
4 After subsection 28(1A)
(1B) Applications may be made to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for review of the following decisions of the Minister:
(a) a decision under subsection 13AC(1) to refuse to grant a safety approval;
(b) a decision under paragraph 13AF(1)(a) to impose, or to refuse to impose, conditions on a safety approval;
(c) a decision under paragraph 13AF(1)(b) to vary or revoke, or to refuse to vary or revoke, conditions imposed on a safety approval;
(d) a decision under subsection 13AG(1) to vary a safety approval;
(e) a decision under subsection 13AG(4) to refuse to vary a safety approval;
(f) a decision under subsection 13AH(1) to suspend or revoke a safety approval.
5 After paragraph 29(2)(ac)
(ad) providing for:
(i) the payment of a fee in the amount, or at the rate, fixed by or calculated under the regulations in respect of the processing of an application for a safety approval, or the grant of the approval; and
(ii) the refund of the fee; and
6 After subsection 9(2B)
(2C) If a person is a non‑State operator, the Minister must not grant the person a permit authorising an activity unless the person holds a safety approval in relation to the activity.
7 Section 13AA (before the last paragraph)
A person must not carry on an activity in the Antarctic unless the non‑State operator who organises the activity holds a safety approval. The conditions imposed on the approval must be complied with.
8 After Division 4 of Part 3A
(1) A non‑State operator contravenes this subsection if:
(a) the operator organises an activity to be carried on in the Antarctic; and
(b) a person carries on the activity at a particular time; and
(c) at that time, the operator does not hold a safety approval in relation to the activity.
(a) the person carries on an activity in the Antarctic at a particular time; and
(b) the activity was organised by a non‑State operator; and
(a) the activity is carried on in an emergency:
(i) to save a person from death or serious injury; or
(ii) to secure the safety of a ship or aircraft, or the safety of equipment or facilities of high value; or
(iii) to protect the environment; or
(b) the non‑State operator is authorised to carry on the activity under a law of a Contracting Party.
(4) A person commits an offence if the person contravenes subsection (1) or (2). The physical elements of the offences are set out in those subsections.
Note: It is not necessary to prove a person’s state of mind in proceedings for a contravention of a civil penalty provision, except in limited circumstances (see section 22N).
(6) A person who wishes to rely on subsection (3) in proceedings for a civil penalty order bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in that subsection.
13AJ Non‑compliance with conditions
(a) the operator holds a safety approval in relation to an activity; and
(b) a person carries on the activity; and
(c) the conditions imposed on the approval are not complied with.
(3) A non‑State operator commits an offence if the operator contravenes subsection (1). The physical elements of the offence are set out in that subsection.
(4) A non‑State operator is liable to a civil penalty if the operator contravenes subsection (1).
(5) A non‑State operator who wishes to rely on subsection (2) in proceedings for a civil penalty order bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in that subsection.
(4A) An inspector may require any person whom he or she finds carrying on, or whom he or she reasonably suspects of having carried on, an activity in respect of which a non‑State operator is required to hold a safety approval to produce:
(a) the approval; or
(b) evidence of the existence and contents of the approval.
10 Application—pre‑commencement applications for a permit
(a) an application under subsection 9(1) of the Antarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Act 1980 was made before the commencement of this item; and
(b) the Minister did not make a decision on the application before that commencement.
(2) Subsection 9(2C) of that Act, as inserted by Part 2 of this Schedule, applies in relation to the application.
11 Application—offences etc. relating to safety approvals
Sections 13AI and 13AJ of the Antarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Act 1980, as inserted by Part 2 of this Schedule, apply in relation to an activity carried on in the Antarctic after the commencement of this item.
Schedule 2—Implementation of Annex VI to the Madrid Protocol
environmental emergency means an event that results in, or imminently threatens to result in, any significant and harmful impact on the Antarctic environment.
environmental protection approval means an environmental protection approval granted under section 13BC.
3 Subsection 3(1) (definition of Madrid Protocol)
Omit all the words after “4 October 1991”, substitute:
and to which:
(a) in accordance with Recommendation XVI‑10 adopted by the XVIth Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting at Bonn on 18 October 1991, the Annex attached to that Recommendation has been added as Annex V to the Protocol; and
(b) in accordance with Measure 1 (2005) adopted by the XXVIIIth Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting at Stockholm on 17 June 2005, the Annex attached to that Measure has been added as Annex VI to the Protocol.
operator means a person who organises, or intends to organise, an activity to be carried on in the Antarctic but does not include:
(a) if the person is a Party to the Madrid Protocol—a contractor or subcontractor acting on behalf of the person if the contractor or subcontractor is not an individual; or
(i) is an employee, contractor, subcontractor or agent of the person; or
(ii) is in the service of the person.
reasonable preventative measures means preventative measures which are:
(a) appropriate, practicable and proportionate; and
(b) based on the availability of objective criteria and information, including information about:
(i) the risks to the Antarctic environment, and the rate of its natural recovery; and
(ii) the risks to human life and safety; and
(iii) technological and economic feasibility.
6 Before Part 4
Part 3B—Environmental protection approvals
This Part deals with environmental protection approvals.
An operator may apply for an environmental protection approval in relation to an activity (other than a mining activity) to be carried on in the Antarctic.
The Minister may grant the approval if the Minister is satisfied that the operator meets certain requirements in relation to the activity.
Mandatory conditions relating to those requirements are imposed on all environmental protection approvals and those conditions cannot be varied or revoked. The Minister may also impose further conditions on an environmental protection approval, and may vary or revoke those conditions.
If the Minister is satisfied that it is necessary to do so, the Minister may vary an environmental protection approval on his or her own initiative or at the request of the holder of the approval.
The Minister may suspend or revoke an environmental protection approval if the Minister is satisfied that there has been non‑compliance with the conditions imposed on the approval or that the suspension or revocation is appropriate in all the circumstances.
The Minister must cause a register of environmental protection approvals to be kept.
Division 2—Obtaining an environmental protection approval
(1) An operator may apply to the Minister for an environmental protection approval in relation to an activity (other than a mining activity) that is to be carried on in the Antarctic.
the Minister may refuse to grant the environmental protection approval under section 13BC.
(1) If an operator applies for an environmental protection approval under section 13BB in relation to an activity, the Minister may grant the approval.
(a) the operator has undertaken or will undertake reasonable preventative measures designed to reduce:
(i) the risk of environmental emergencies arising from the activity; and
(ii) the potential adverse impact of environmental emergencies arising from the activity; and
(b) the operator has an appropriate contingency plan for responding to incidents with potential adverse impact on the Antarctic environment, or dependent and associated eco‑systems, that arise from the activity; and
(c) the operator has or will have the insurance, or other financial security, that is referred to in Articles 11(1) and (2) of Annex VI to the Madrid Protocol up to the limits referred to in those Articles.
(1) If the Minister grants an operator an environmental protection approval under section 13BC in relation to an activity, the Minister must give written notice of the decision to the operator.
(c) the conditions imposed under section 13BE; and
(d) any other conditions imposed under section 13BF at the time of the grant; and
(3) If the Minister refuses to grant an operator an environmental protection approval under section 13BC, the Minister must give the operator written notice of the decision and the reasons for the decision.
Division 3—Conditions of environmental protection approvals
If the Minister grants an operator an environmental protection approval under section 13BC in relation to an activity, the following conditions are imposed on the approval:
(a) a condition that the operator must undertake reasonable preventative measures designed to reduce:
(ii) the potential adverse impact of environmental emergencies arising from the activity;
(b) a condition that the operator must have an appropriate contingency plan for responding to incidents with potential adverse impact on the Antarctic environment, or dependent and associated eco‑systems, that arise from the activity;
(c) a condition that the operator must have the insurance, or other financial security, that is referred to in Articles 11(1) and (2) of Annex VI to the Madrid Protocol up to the limits referred to in those Articles.
(a) impose conditions, or additional conditions, on an environmental protection approval; or
(b) vary or revoke conditions imposed on an environmental protection approval (other than the conditions imposed under section 13BE).
(b) at the request of the holder of an environmental protection approval.
(3) The holder of an environmental protection approval may request the Minister to impose a condition on, or to vary or revoke a condition imposed on, the approval.
(5) If a request is made under subsection (3), the Minister must not impose a condition on, or vary or revoke a condition imposed on, the environmental protection approval unless the Minister is satisfied that the reasons set out in the request justify the imposition, variation or revocation.
(6) If the Minister imposes a condition on, or varies or revokes a condition imposed on, an environmental protection approval after it is granted:
(a) the holder of an environmental protection approval makes a request under subsection (3); and
Division 4—Variation, suspension and revocation of environmental protection approvals
Variation on the Minister’s own initiative
(1) The Minister may, on the Minister’s own initiative, vary an environmental protection approval if the Minister is satisfied that it is necessary to do so.
(2) The holder of an environmental protection approval may request the Minister to vary the approval.
(4) If a request is made under subsection (2), the Minister may vary the environmental protection approval if the Minister is satisfied that the reasons set out in the request justify the variation.
(5) If an environmental protection approval is varied under subsection (1) or (4):
(a) the holder of an environmental protection approval makes a request under subsection (2); and
(1) The Minister may, by written notice given to the holder of an environmental protection approval, suspend or revoke the approval if:
(2) If an environmental protection approval is suspended or revoked under subsection (1), the suspension or revocation takes effect on a day specified in the notice (which must be at least 5 days after the day on which the notice is given).
(3) If an environmental protection approval is suspended under subsection (1), the notice must specify the period of suspension (which must not be longer than 90 days after the day on which the suspension takes effect).
(a) an environmental protection approval in relation to an activity is suspended under subsection (1); and
(5) The suspension of an environmental protection approval does not prevent its revocation.
(1) The Minister must cause to be kept a register of environmental protection approvals granted under this Part.
(2) The register must include the following information about an environmental protection approval:
The regulations may provide for the monitoring of an activity in relation to which an environmental protection approval has been granted.
7 Before subsection 28(2)
(1C) Applications may be made to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for review of the following decisions of the Minister:
(a) a decision under subsection 13BC(1) to refuse to grant an environmental protection approval;
(b) a decision under paragraph 13BF(1)(a) to impose, or to refuse to impose, conditions on an environmental protection approval;
(c) a decision under paragraph 13BF(1)(b) to vary or revoke, or to refuse to vary or revoke, conditions imposed on an environmental protection approval;
(d) a decision under subsection 13BG(1) to vary an environmental protection approval;
(e) a decision under subsection 13BG(4) to refuse to vary an environmental protection approval;
(f) a decision under subsection 13BH(1) to suspend or revoke an environmental protection approval.
8 Before paragraph 29(2)(b)
(ae) providing for:
(i) the payment of a fee in the amount, or at the rate, fixed by or calculated under the regulations in respect of the processing of an application for an environmental protection approval, or the grant of the approval; and
Having regard to Article IV of the Antarctic Treaty and Article 8 of the Protocol;
This Annex shall apply to environmental emergencies in the Antarctic Treaty area which relate to scientific research programmes, tourism and all other governmental and nongovernmental activities in the Antarctic Treaty area for which advance notice is required under Article VII(5) of the Antarctic Treaty, including associated logistic support activities. Measures and plans for preventing and responding to such emergencies are also included in this Annex. It shall apply to all tourist vessels that enter the Antarctic Treaty area. It shall also apply to environmental emergencies in the Antarctic Treaty area which relate to other vessels and activities as may be decided in accordance with Article 13.
(a) “Decision” means a Decision adopted pursuant to the Rules of Procedure of Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings and referred to in Decision 1 (1995) of the XIXth Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting;
(b) “Environmental emergency” means any accidental event that has occurred, having taken place after the entry into force of this Annex, and that results in, or imminently threatens to result in, any significant and harmful impact on the Antarctic environment;
(c) “Operator” means any natural or juridical person, whether governmental or nongovernmental, which organises activities to be carried out in the Antarctic Treaty area. An operator does not include a natural person who is an employee, contractor, subcontractor, or agent of, or who is in the service of, a natural or juridical person, whether governmental or non‑governmental, which organises activities to be carried out in the Antarctic Treaty area, and does not include a juridical person that is a contractor or subcontractor acting on behalf of a State operator;
(d) “Operator of the Party” means an operator that organises, in that Party’s territory, activities to be carried out in the Antarctic Treaty area, and:
The terms “its operator”, “Party of the operator”, and “Party of that operator” shall be interpreted in accordance with this definition;
(e) “Reasonable”, as applied to preventative measures and response action, means measures or actions which are appropriate, practicable, proportionate and based on the availability of objective criteria and information, including:
(f) “Response action” means reasonable measures taken after an environmental emergency has occurred to avoid, minimise or contain the impact of that environmental emergency, which to that end may include clean‑up in appropriate circumstances, and includes determining the extent of that emergency and its impact;
(g) “The Parties” means the States for which this Annex has become effective in accordance with Article 9 of the Protocol.
(b) co‑operate in the formulation and implementation of such contingency plans.
3. Each Party shall establish and implement procedures for immediate notification of, and co‑operative responses to, environmental emergencies, and shall promote the use of notification procedures and co‑operative response procedures by its operators that cause environmental emergencies.
(b) When a non‑State operator should have taken prompt and effective response action but did not, and no response action was taken by any Party, the non‑State operator shall be liable to pay an amount of money that reflects as much as possible the costs of the response action that should have been taken. Such money is to be paid directly to the fund referred to in Article 12, to the Party of that operator or to the Party that enforces the mechanism referred to in Article 7(3). A Party receiving such money shall make best efforts to make a contribution to the fund referred to in Article 12 which at least equals the money received from the operator.
5. Notwithstanding that a Party is liable under this Article for its failure to provide for prompt and effective response action to environmental emergencies caused by its warships, naval auxiliaries, or other ships or aircraft owned or operated by it and used, for the time being, only on government non‑commercial service, nothing in this Annex is intended to affect the sovereign immunity under international law of such warships, naval auxiliaries, or other ships or aircraft.
1. Only a Party that has taken response action pursuant to Article 5(2) may bring an action against a non‑State operator for liability pursuant to Article 6(1) and such action may be brought in the courts of not more than one Party where the operator is incorporated or has its principal place of business or his or her habitual place of residence. However, should the operator not be incorporated in a Party or have its principal place of business or his or her habitual place of residence in a Party, the action may be brought in the courts of the Party of the operator within the meaning of Article 2(d). Such actions for compensation shall be brought within three years of the commencement of the response action or within three years of the date on which the Party bringing the action knew or ought reasonably to have known the identity of the operator, whichever is later. In no event shall an action against a non‑State operator be commenced later than 15 years after the commencement of the response action.
3. Each Party shall ensure that there is a mechanism in place under its domestic law for the enforcement of Article 6(2)(b) with respect to any of its non‑State operators within the meaning of Article 2(d), as well as where possible with respect to any non‑State operator that is incorporated or has its principal place of business or his or her habitual place of residence in that Party. Each Party shall inform all other Parties of this mechanism in accordance with Article 13(3) of the Protocol. Where there are multiple Parties that are capable of enforcing Article 6(2)(b) against any given non‑State operator under this paragraph, such Parties should consult amongst themselves as to which Party should take enforcement action. The mechanism referred to in this paragraph shall not be invoked later than 15 years after the date the Party seeking to invoke the mechanism became aware of the environmental emergency.
‑ for each ton from 2,001 to 30,000 tons, 400 SDR;
‑ for each ton from 30,001 to 70,000 tons, 300 SDR; and
‑ for each ton in excess of 70,000 tons, 200 SDR;
(a) “ship” means a vessel of any type whatsoever operating in the marine environment and includes hydrofoil boats, air‑cushion vehicles, submersibles, floating craft and fixed or floating platforms;
(b) “SDR” means the Special Drawing Rights as defined by the International Monetary Fund;
(c) a ship’s tonnage shall be the gross tonnage calculated in accordance with the tonnage measurement rules contained in Annex I of the International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969.
3. Notwithstanding paragraphs 1 and 2 above, a Party may maintain self‑insurance in respect of its State operators, including those carrying out activities in the furtherance of scientific research.
Account means the Antarctic Environmental Liability Special Account established under section 13CJ.
authorised officer means a person appointed under section 3A as an authorised officer for the purposes of a provision of this Act.
costs order means an order under subsection 13CF(1) or 13CG(1).
(a) cleaning up in appropriate circumstances; and
(b) determining the extent and impact of the emergency.
3A Minister may appoint authorised officers
(1) The Minister may, in writing, appoint a person:
(a) who is an SES employee, or acting SES employee, in the Department; or
(b) who is an APS employee who holds or performs the duties of an Executive Level 2 position, or an equivalent position, in the Department;
as an authorised officer for the purposes of a provision of this Act.
(2) A copy of the instrument of appointment must be published in the Gazette.
17 Before subsection 9(3)
(2D) If a person is an operator, the Minister must not grant the person a permit authorising an activity unless the person holds an environmental protection approval in relation to the activity.
18 Section 13BA (before the last paragraph)
A person must not carry on an activity in the Antarctic unless the operator who organises the activity holds an environmental protection approval. The conditions imposed on the approval must be complied with.
19 Paragraph 13BC(2)(c)
(c) the operator has or will have adequate insurance, or other financial security, in respect of an amount the operator would be required to pay if a costs order were made in relation to an environmental emergency arising from the activity; and
(d) the amount for which the operator is indemnified under that insurance, or other financial security, is or will be at least equal to the amount prescribed for the purpose of subparagraph 13CF(2)(b)(ii).
20 Paragraph 13BE(c)
(c) a condition that the operator must have adequate insurance, or other financial security, in respect of an amount the operator would be required to pay if a costs order were made in relation to an environmental emergency arising from the activity;
(d) a condition that the amount for which the operator is indemnified under that insurance, or other financial security, is at least equal to the amount prescribed for the purpose of subparagraph 13CF(2)(b)(ii).
21 After Division 4 of Part 3B
(1) An operator contravenes this subsection if:
(c) at that time, the operator does not hold an environmental protection approval in relation to the activity.
(b) the activity was organised by an operator; and
(b) the operator is authorised to carry on the activity under a law of a Contracting Party; or
(c) the activity is carried on in compliance with a direction given to the operator under subsection 13CD(1).
(4) A person commits an offence if the person contravenes subsection (1) or (2). The physical elements of the offence are set out in that subsection.
13BJ Non‑compliance with conditions
(a) the operator holds an environmental protection approval in relation to an activity; and
(3) An operator commits an offence if the operator contravenes subsection (1). The physical elements of the offence are set out in that subsection.
(4) An operator is liable to a civil penalty if the operator contravenes subsection (1).
(5) An operator who wishes to rely on subsection (2) in proceedings for a civil penalty order bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in that subsection.
22 After Part 3B
This Part deals with environmental emergencies in the Antarctic.
If an environmental emergency is caused by an activity carried on by a person in the Antarctic, the operator who organised the activity must immediately notify the Minister, or an authorised officer, of the emergency.
The operator must also ensure that prompt and effective response action is taken in relation to the emergency.
The Minister may give the operator a direction in relation to the emergency. The operator must comply with the direction.
If the operator does not take prompt and effective response action in relation to the emergency, a Court may in certain circumstances make a costs order against the operator.
This Part also establishes the Antarctic Environmental Liability Special Account and deals with other miscellaneous matters.
(c) the activity causes an environmental emergency; and
(d) the operator does not immediately notify the Minister, or an authorised officer, of the emergency.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the operator has already notified a Party to the Madrid Protocol of the environmental emergency.
(5) An operator who wishes to rely on subsection (2) in proceedings for a civil penalty order bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in that subsection.
(c) the activity gives rise to an environmental emergency; and
(d) the operator does not ensure that prompt and effective response action is taken in relation to the emergency.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the environmental emergency was caused by:
(a) an act or omission necessary to protect human life or safety; or
(b) an event constituting in the circumstances of the Antarctic a natural disaster of an exceptional character if:
(i) the event could not have been reasonably foreseen, either generally or in the particular case; and
(ii) all reasonable preventative measures designed to reduce the risk of environmental emergencies, and their potential adverse impact, were taken by the operator; or
(d) an act of belligerency against the activities organised by the operator.
(a) a person carries on an activity in the Antarctic; and
(b) the activity gives rise to an environmental emergency;
the Minister may give the operator who organised the activity a written direction in relation to the emergency.
(2) If an operator is given a direction under subsection (1), the operator must comply with the direction.
Note: See section 13CE for non‑compliance with a direction.
(3) Neither the Minister nor the Commonwealth is liable to any action or proceeding, whether civil or criminal, for or in relation to an act done, or omitted to be done, by the operator in compliance, or purported compliance, with the direction.
13CE Non‑compliance with direction
(a) the operator is given a direction under subsection 13CD(1); and
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the operator engages in the conduct in an emergency:
(b) to secure the safety of a ship or aircraft, or the safety of equipment or facilities of high value; or
13CF Costs order—response action taken by Party to Madrid Protocol
(a) an activity is carried on in the Antarctic; and
(b) the activity gives rise to an environmental emergency; and
(c) the operator who organised the activity:
(i) is not a Party to the Madrid Protocol; and
(ii) does not take prompt and effective response action in relation to the emergency; and
(d) a Party to the Protocol takes response action under Article 5(2) of Annex VI to the Protocol (whether directly or through an agent or other person authorised by the Party);
a Court may, on application, order the operator to pay an amount to the Party.
(2) The amount must not exceed:
(a) if the environmental emergency resulted from an act or omission of the operator that was done with the intention of causing the emergency, or recklessly and with the knowledge that the emergency would probably result—the costs incurred by the Party in taking the response action; or
(b) otherwise—the lower of the following:
(i) the costs incurred by the Party in taking the response action;
(ii) the amount prescribed by the regulations.
(3) The Court must not make an order under subsection (1) if the environmental emergency was caused by:
(4) An application for an order under subsection (1) may be made by:
(a) if the Party is Australia—the Minister; or
(b) if the Party is another Party to the Madrid Protocol—that Party.
(5) An application for an order under subsection (1) must be made within whichever of the following periods ends later:
(a) the period of 3 years beginning on the day on which the response action begins;
(b) the period of 3 years beginning on the day on which the Party knew, or ought reasonably to have known, the identity of the operator.
(6) Despite paragraph (5)(b), the application must not be made more than 15 years after the day on which the response action begins.
13CG Costs order—no response action taken by any person
(d) no Party to the Protocol takes response action under Article 5(2) of Annex VI to the Protocol (whether directly or through an agent or other person authorised by the Party);
a Court may, on application by the Minister, order the operator to pay an amount to the Commonwealth.
(a) if the environmental emergency resulted from an act or omission of the operator that was done with the intention of causing the emergency, or recklessly and with the knowledge that the emergency would probably result—the costs of the response action that should have been taken; or
(i) the costs of the response action that should have been taken;
(3) The Court must not make an order under subsection (1) if the operator proves that the environmental emergency was caused by:
(4) The application must be made within the period of 15 years beginning on the day on which the Commonwealth became aware of the environmental emergency.
(1) This section applies if a costs order is made that an operator pay an amount to either of the following (the plaintiff):
(a) a Party to the Madrid Protocol;
(2) The amount is taken to be a civil debt payable by the operator to the plaintiff.
(3) The plaintiff may enforce the order as if it were an order made in civil proceedings against the operator to recover a debt due by the operator to the plaintiff.
(4) The debt arising from the order is taken to be a judgement debt.
(1) If an environmental emergency arises from an activity or activities carried on in the Antarctic that were organised by 2 or more operators, the operators are jointly and severally liable in relation to the emergency.
(2) Despite subsection (1), an operator is not jointly and severally liable in relation to any part of the environmental emergency that did not result from an activity or activities organised by the operator.
(1) The Antarctic Environmental Liability Special Account is established by this section.
(a) amounts paid to the Commonwealth under a costs order;
(b) voluntary payments made by a person to the Commonwealth for the purposes of the Account;
13CL Purposes of the Account
(a) making payments to the fund referred to in Article 12 of Annex VI to the Madrid Protocol;
(b) paying or discharging the costs, expenses and other obligations incurred by the Commonwealth in taking response action under Article 5(2) of that Annex (whether directly or through an agent or other person authorised by the Commonwealth);
If the Commonwealth is required or permitted to make a payment to the fund referred to in Article 12 of Annex VI to the Madrid Protocol, the Minister must cause the payment to be made in a timely manner.
23 Before subsection 17(5)
(4B) An inspector may require any person whom he or she finds carrying on, or whom he or she reasonably suspects of having carried on, an activity in respect of which an operator is required to hold an environmental protection approval to produce:
24 After paragraph 19(3)(c)
(ca) the action in question was done in compliance with a direction given to the person under subsection 13CD(1); or
25 At the end of subsection 19(3)
26 At the end of section 19AA
(3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply in relation to an action if it is done in compliance with a direction given to the person under subsection 13CD(1).
27 Subsection 20(2)
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to conduct if the conduct is engaged in by the person in compliance with a direction given to the person under subsection 13CD(1).
28 Subsections 21(2), 21AA(5) and 21AB(4)
29 At the end of subsection 21A(4) (before the note)
; or (c) the activity was carried on in compliance with a direction given to the person under subsection 13CD(1).
30 At the end of section 27
; or (e) the power under section 13CD to give a direction; or
(f) the power under section 13CF or 13CG to apply for a costs order.
Part 3—Amendment relating to safety approvals
31 At the end of subsections 13AI(3) and 13AJ(2)
; or (c) the activity is carried on in compliance with a direction given to the non‑State operator under subsection 13CD(1).
Principal Act means the Antarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Act 1980.
33 Application—pre‑commencement applications for a permit
(a) an application under subsection 9(1) of the Principal Act was made before commencement; and
(b) the Minister did not make a decision on the application before commencement.
(2) Subsection 9(2D) of that Act, as inserted by Part 2 of this Schedule, applies in relation to the application.
34 Application—offences etc. relating to environmental protection approvals
Sections 13BI and 13BJ of the Principal Act, as inserted by Part 2 of this Schedule, apply in relation to an activity carried on in the Antarctic after commencement.
35 Application—provisions relating to environmental emergencies
Sections 13CB, 13CC and 13CD of the Principal Act, as inserted by Part 2 of this Schedule, apply in relation to an activity carried on in the Antarctic that causes or gives rise to an environmental emergency if the activity is carried on after commencement.
36 Application—costs orders
Sections 13CF and 13CG of the Principal Act, as inserted by Part 2 of this Schedule, apply in relation to an activity carried on in the Antarctic that gives rise to an environmental emergency if the activity is carried on after commencement.
37 Saving of designation etc. as an authorised officer
(a) before commencement, a person was designated or authorised as an authorised officer under subsection 21(2), 21AA(5) or 21AB(4) of the Principal Act; and
(b) the designation or authorisation had not ended immediately before commencement.
(2) After commencement, the designation or authorisation continues in force as if it were an appointment made under section 3A of that Act, as inserted by Part 2 of this Schedule.
guide, in relation to the passengers of a vessel, means a person:
(a) who, in the opinion of the person (the organiser) who organises the vessel to take the passengers to the Antarctic, has relevant expertise in relation to the Antarctic; and
(b) who is engaged by the organiser to be a guide in relation to the passengers.
passenger, of a vessel, does not include:
(a) a person employed or engaged in any capacity on board the vessel on the business of the vessel; or
(b) a guide.
Part 2A—Vessels
12AA Simplified outline
This Part is about vessels that carry passengers to the Antarctic. The limits set out in this Part apply if the vessels are organised to carry the passengers by a person who is not a Contracting Party to the Treaty.
(a) the person is not a Contracting Party to the Treaty; and
(b) the person organises a vessel to carry passengers to the Antarctic; and
(c) one or more passengers of the vessel (the first vessel) disembark (whether or not from the first vessel or another vessel) onto land within the Antarctic; and
(d) immediately before any passengers disembark from the first vessel, that vessel is carrying more than the number of passengers prescribed by the regulations.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the passengers disembark in an emergency:
(5) A person who wishes to rely on subsection (2) in proceedings for a civil penalty order bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in that subsection.
(c) one or more passengers of the vessel disembark (whether or not from that vessel or another vessel) onto land within the Antarctic; and
(d) at a particular time, the number of passengers on land within the Antarctic is higher than the number of passengers prescribed by the regulations.
(d) at a particular time, the number worked out by dividing the number of guides, in relation to the passengers, who are on the land by the number of passengers who are on the land is less than the number prescribed by the regulations.
(a) the first person is not a Contracting Party to the Treaty; and
(b) the first person organises a vessel to carry passengers to the Antarctic; and
(c) the first person fails to coordinate with any other persons:
(i) who are not Contracting Parties to the Treaty; and
(ii) who organise vessels to carry passengers to the Antarctic;
with the objective that no more than one vessel is at a landing site in the Antarctic at the same time.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the first person fails to coordinate with those other persons in an emergency:
An Act relating to the Antarctic and the protection and conservation of the environment of the Antarctic, and for related purposes
After “a party to the”, insert “Antarctic Treaty and the”.
Omit “that Protocol”, substitute “that Treaty and Protocol”.
civil penalty order has the meaning given by subsection 22(4).
(d) a District, County or Local Court of a State or Territory; or
(e) a Magistrates Court of a State or Territory.
10 After section 6A
6B Contravening offence and civil penalty provisions
(1) This section applies if a provision of this Act declares that a person contravening another provision of this Act (the conduct rule provision):
11 Paragraph 17(1)(b)
After “evidence as to”, insert “the contravention of a civil penalty provision or”.
12 After paragraph 17(4)(a)
(aa) require any person whom he or she finds contravening, or whom he or she reasonably suspects of having contravened, a civil penalty provision to state his or her full name and usual place of residence; and
13 Subsection 17(6)
Omit “in pursuance of subsection (4)”, substitute “under this section”.
14 Subsection 18(1)
After “involved in”, insert “the contravention of a civil penalty provision or”.
Omit all the words after “and may”, substitute:
retain the article:
(a) if proceedings for:
(i) an offence against this Act in the commission of which it may have been involved; or
(ii) a contravention of a civil penalty provision in the contravention of which it may have been involved;
are commenced within 60 days after it is seized—until the proceedings (including any appeal) are completed; or
(b) otherwise—for up to 60 days.
16 Part 5 (heading)
Part 5—Offences relating to the environment etc.
Part 5A—Civil penalty provisions
(1) The Minister may apply to a Court for an order that a person, who is alleged to have contravened a civil penalty provision, pay the Commonwealth a pecuniary penalty.
Note: Section 22N (which provides that a person’s state of mind does not need to be proven in relation to a civil penalty provision) does not apply to subsection (1) of this section.
(3) A person who wishes to rely on subsection (1) or (2) in proceedings for a civil penalty order bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in that subsection.
(1) In proceedings for a civil penalty order against a person for a contravention of a civil penalty provision (other than subsection 22L(1)), it is not necessary to prove:
(2) Subsection (1) does not affect the operation of section 22M (which is about mistake of fact).
18 At the end of section 27
; or (d) the power under section 22 to apply for a civil penalty order.
19 At the end of paragraphs 29(2)(a) and (ab)
20 After paragraph 29(2)(ab)
(ac) providing for the refund of a fee referred to in paragraph (ab); and
21 At the end of paragraphs 29(2)(b) to (i)
22 After subsection 29(2)
(2A) A fee under subsection (2) must not be such as to amount to taxation.