MARINE SAFETY (DOMESTIC COMMERCIAL VESSEL) NATIONAL LAW (APPLICATION) BILL

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 30 April 2013.)

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (17:50): I rise on behalf of the opposition to support the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law (Application) Bill 2013. I note the purpose of the bill is to adopt a national legislative approach to the regulation of marine safety in relation to domestic commercial vessels. It will enhance the efficient operation of domestic commercial vessels by providing a uniform national law.

There are currently eight different marine safety regulatory systems involving the commonwealth, the six states and the Northern Territory that govern the operation of domestic commercial vessels here in Australia. I am sure members can understand that while, in theory, the state borders extend into a little bit of the water, vessels are free to move right around our coastline, so it does make a lot of sense to have some sort of national regulatory frame.

If the bill is passed, the national laws will commence on 1 July 2013 and apply to the existing estimated 2,000 domestic commercial vessels in South Australia and extend to the 230 crown vessels and the 50 industry vessel operations, which include rescue, research and community vessels for training and for hire. The bill will also provide people in South Australia who want to use our waterways, ports and harbours, with a better understanding of our waterways and of the national laws.

It should also be noted that the state will continue to regulate waterways, ports, harbours and moorings, as well as enforce speed limits and drug and alcohol offences. The current approvals will continue until 2016, and the state government will collect fees for services such as surveys, certificates and licences. As with all these national laws, there are some downsides, and one of these that was raised through the consultation by the opposition was the fact that there will be, potentially, extra costs regarding regulation.

People will need to be trained to obtain a coxswain certificate—$436 plus one week's training. The training will continue with existing providers, that is, TAFE in Port Lincoln and the Australian Fishing Academy in Port Adelaide. Clearly, if there is an extra requirement on some of our regional operators and the training has to be undertaken—it is a week's training; they are off work for a week, so their boss has to either pay them while they are there or give them a week's leave but pay somebody to replace them—and it is another $463 for the certificate on top of the training.

As I said, with national changes to the regulatory framework there are always some positives but, sadly, there are some negatives; the one about extra costs and burden on some of our regional operators has been a hallmark of both state and federal Labor governments. Nonetheless, the opposition does see some benefit in this national regulatory approach, so we will be supporting the bill.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins.