This bill became law on Jun 28th, 2023.
Culture, sport & community
Foreign superyachtsThe legal name used for the foreign superyachts covered by this scheme on this page. can keep using the special vessel law until 30 June 2025 instead of losing that option in 2023.
COVID-19The pandemic that delayed shipping reform work and helped justify extending the superyacht scheme. disruptions and the late arrival of Strategic Fleet TaskforceThe government group whose advice was still pending when the bill was introduced, which helped cause the extension. advice left the 2019 superyacht charter law due to expire on 30 June 2023 before longer-term coastal tradingThe system of rules that controls commercial vessel trips between Australian ports and nearby waters. reforms were settled. This bill extends that law to 30 June 2025 so foreign superyachtsThe legal name used for the foreign superyachts covered by this scheme on this page. can keep getting temporary charter licences in Australia while broader changes are finalised.
Australia had already created a temporary 2019 law letting foreign superyachtsThe legal name used for the foreign superyachts covered by this scheme on this page. opt into the coastal tradingThe system of rules that controls commercial vessel trips between Australian ports and nearby waters. system so they could run charter trips in Australian waters, but that law was due to expire on 30 June 2023 before longer-term shipping changes were settled. The 2023 bill responded by extending the scheme for another two years, keeping superyacht charters and their spending flowing to regional coastal businesses, and it became law on 28 June 2023 with the sunset pushed out to 30 June 2025.
The main criticism was that the bill keeps a tax-favoured charter regime for foreign superyachtsThe legal name used for the foreign superyachts covered by this scheme on this page., effectively extending a benefit for very wealthy yacht owners rather than serving ordinary tourism. That case appears to have been limited, raised in opposition by the Greens and echoed in a defeated Senate amendment calling for extra tax and wider sharing of benefits, while no major party represented in the debate opposed the bill.
Kristy Mcbain MPA member of parliament; here it appears in the formal title of the minister quoted in the explanatory memorandum. introduced this bill. It passed on the voices.
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 28 June 2023
Final passage
Passed without a counted vote
Members called out ‘aye’ or ‘no’ — no individual votes were recorded.
Passage speed
98 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
Foreign superyachtsThe legal name used for the foreign superyachts covered by this scheme on this page. can keep using the special vessel law until 30 June 2025 instead of losing that option in 2023.
Foreign superyachtsThe legal name used for the foreign superyachts covered by this scheme on this page. can keep opting into Australia’s coastal tradingThe system of rules that controls commercial vessel trips between Australian ports and nearby waters. rules so they can get temporary licences to run charter trips in Australian waters.
Regional Australian businesses keep access to spending from superyacht charters while the government works out a longer-term set of rules.
The government gets an extra two years to finish advice and decisions on broader shipping law changes before replacing this temporary superyacht arrangement.
Omit “2023”, substitute “2025”.Special Recreational Vessels Amendment Act 2023 final Act text
The purpose of the Bill is to extend the repeal date in section 17 of the Special Recreational Vessels Act 2019 (SRV Act) from 30 June 2023 to 30 June 2025. Extending the repeal date will ensure that special recreational vessels (also known as superyachts) can continue to opt in to the coastal trading regulatory regime, established by the Coastal Trading (Revitalising Australian Shipping) Act 2012, and obtain temporary licenses to operate charters in Australia.Special Recreational Vessels Amendment explanatory memorandum
The extension of the sunset provision in the SRV Act is needed to allow special recreational vessels to continue to operate charters in Australia until a longer-term solution is found. The ability to charter brings economic benefits into regional communities in Australia, supporting local industries and establishing Australia as a destination for these vessels.Special Recreational Vessels Amendment explanatory memorandum
The Strategic Fleet Taskforce is expected to provide advice to Government on the regulatory framework for shipping (including coastal trading) as part of its work. This advice is not expected until June 2023. The extension of the SRV Act will provide sufficient time for the relevant advice from the Taskforce to be considered and any potential amendments of the Coastal Trading Act (including consideration of the SRV-related amendments) to be finalised.Special Recreational Vessels Amendment explanatory memorandum
Context
Australia had already created a temporary 2019 law letting foreign superyachtsThe legal name used for the foreign superyachts covered by this scheme on this page. opt into the coastal tradingThe system of rules that controls commercial vessel trips between Australian ports and nearby waters. system so they could run charter trips in Australian waters, but that law was due to expire on 30 June 2023 before longer-term shipping changes were settled. The 2023 bill responded by extending the scheme for another two years, keeping superyacht charters and their spending flowing to regional coastal businesses, and it became law on 28 June 2023 with the sunset pushed out to 30 June 2025.
Australia creates a temporary superyacht charter scheme
The Special Recreational Vessels Act 2019The 2019 law that lets foreign superyachts opt into Australia’s coastal trading system so they can run charter trips here. let foreign superyachtsThe legal name used for the foreign superyachts covered by this scheme on this page. opt into coastal tradingThe system of rules that controls commercial vessel trips between Australian ports and nearby waters. rules so they could legally operate for hire or charter in Australian waters.
Australian Parliament House ↗Government moves to stop the scheme expiring in June 2023
When the amendment bill was introduced, ministers said the 2019 scheme needed to be extended so foreign superyachtsThe legal name used for the foreign superyachts covered by this scheme on this page. could keep operating under temporary licences and bringing money into regional communities.
Hansard ↗Parliament passes the bill
Both houses agreed to the extension, clearing the way for the temporary charter arrangement to continue instead of ending on 30 June 2023.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Royal AssentThe final step that turns a bill into law after Parliament passes it. extends the superyacht scheme to 30 June 2025
Royal AssentThe final step that turns a bill into law after Parliament passes it. turned the bill into law and formally pushed the repeal dateA rule that makes a law expire on a set date unless Parliament changes it first. of the special recreational vesselsThe legal name used for the foreign superyachts covered by this scheme on this page. legislation out by two years.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Legislative route
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Referred to Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Reported from Federation Chamber
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Finally passed both Houses
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final step that turns a bill into law after Parliament passes it., turning the bill into an Act.
Key criticism
The main criticism was that the bill keeps a tax-favoured charter regime for foreign superyachtsThe legal name used for the foreign superyachts covered by this scheme on this page., effectively extending a benefit for very wealthy yacht owners rather than serving ordinary tourism. That case appears to have been limited, raised in opposition by the Greens and echoed in a defeated Senate amendment calling for extra tax and wider sharing of benefits, while no major party represented in the debate opposed the bill.
Criticism was real but narrow, and mostly focused on fairness rather than implementation.
Tax break for billionaire superyachts
Critics argued the bill prolongs a special arrangement that lets foreign superyachtsThe legal name used for the foreign superyachts covered by this scheme on this page. avoid GSTThe tax critics said superyacht imports could avoid while the charter scheme continued. on importation while chartering in Australia, which they said amounts to a tax break for billionaire-owned vessels rather than a public-interest tourism measure.
Benefits not shared broadly enough
A separate criticism was that if superyachtsThe legal name used for the foreign superyachts covered by this scheme on this page. keep receiving special treatment, they should at least face extra mooring charges and deliver clearer benefits to the wider community, including First NationsAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, mentioned here as groups critics said should share more of the benefits. groups, instead of concentrating gains among wealthy operators and niche tourism businesses.
Further sources
Votes
The bill passed both chambers on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage.
House agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Senate agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Amendments grouped by chamber. These cards include amendment outcomes recorded without a counted division.
Senate
Senator Thorpe’s proposal was defeated on voicesA quick parliamentary decision where members show agreement or disagreement out loud, without a formal counted vote.; it would have added a call for special recreational vesselsThe legal name used for the foreign superyachts covered by this scheme on this page. to pay extra tax for mooring and for their benefits to be shared more widely, including with First NationsAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, mentioned here as groups critics said should share more of the benefits. groups.
Defeated on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
The Senate JournalThe official record that shows what happened to the amendment and the bill in the Senate. records the amendment outcome as defeated on voicesA quick parliamentary decision where members show agreement or disagreement out loud, without a formal counted vote.. The proposal related to extra tax and broader benefit-sharing for special recreational vesselsThe legal name used for the foreign superyachts covered by this scheme on this page..
Defeated on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
Parliamentary debate
Start here — lead voices
Kristy McBain supports the bill, saying it will keep the superyacht licensing regime in place for two more years so the industry can keep operating while the government consults on a longer term solution.
Read in Hansard ↗Watson-Brown opposes the bill, arguing it would keep tax breaks in place for billionaire-owned superyachtsThe legal name used for the foreign superyachts covered by this scheme on this page. instead of letting the Morrison-era policy expire.
Read in Hansard ↗McCormack supports the bill and says it should pass because it keeps foreign superyachtsThe legal name used for the foreign superyachts covered by this scheme on this page. operating in Australia, bringing tourism and work for local businesses and workers.
Read in Hansard ↗Anthony Chisholm supports the bill and says it should extend temporary licences for special recreational vesselsThe legal name used for the foreign superyachts covered by this scheme on this page. so superyacht charters can keep operating in Australia.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
2 speakers · 3 contributions · 2 support
“The proposed amendment means these vessels can continue to operate under temporary licences, bringing overseas dollars into regional communities around Australia. Encouraging special recreational vessels to come to Australia to charter is important, particularly for post COVID recovery.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Kristy McBain, including an amendment-moving contribution. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Moved amendment
Kristy McBain supports the bill, saying it will keep the superyacht licensing regime in place for two more years so the industry can keep operating while the government consults on a longer term solution. She argues the extension will bring economic benefits to regional communities and give the sector certainty.
“Extending the repeal date of the SRV Act for two years will allow more time to consult stakeholders on a longer term solution for special recreational vessel regulation. Earlier consultation was paused because of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting supply chain issues, and will not be completed prior to the SRV Act sunsetting.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
McBain supports the bill and says extending the sunset dateA rule that makes a law expire on a set date unless Parliament changes it first. is a common-sense way to keep superyacht charters coming to Australia while a long-term regulatory solution is developed. She argues it will give certainty to regional coastal businesses and help tourism, hospitality and suppliers.
“The bill supports charters continuing on the Australian coast until we deal with a long-term regulatory solution. Prior to the introduction of the Special Recreational Vessels Act in 2019, special recreational vessels visited our Pacific neighbours but would bypass Australia, which was not good for us and not good for tourism as a whole. The Australian government put the act in place to allow these special recreational vessels, known as superyachts, to charter in Australian waters and to realise the opportunities they bring for hospitality, for tourism providers, for suppliers and for our regional communities. Providing new possibilities for these businesses and communities is even more important now on the back of COVID-19, supply chain issues, droughts, floods and fires.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
3 speakers · 4 contributions · 3 support
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Michael McCormack on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
McCormack supports the bill and says it should pass because it keeps foreign superyachtsThe legal name used for the foreign superyachts covered by this scheme on this page. operating in Australia, bringing tourism and work for local businesses and workers. He argues the extension is in the national interest and should not be sent offshore.
“This is why the Special Recreational Vessels Amendment Bill 2023 needs to be supported. This is why the legislation is so important. It's not about billionaires; it's about making sure that Australia's tourist economy and Australia's worker economy get a part of the action.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
McCormack supports the bill and says it is important because it will keep money onshore, attract investment, and help tradespeople and small businesses. He presents it as a bipartisan measure with clear economic benefits for Australia.
“We don't want it to go offshore. That's why the passage of this bipartisan bill is so important, because it's keeping money onshore. It's actually attracting investment to Australia for tradespeople, as the Maritime Executive says, and, probably more importantly, for the small businesses of this nation.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
“So I'm pleased to see the government introducing this legislation. It again shows the opportunities we have in this country from new areas of business that we may not have always recognised. Seeing the government build on the good work of the coalition, I'm very pleased to support this bill. It's a tremendous economic windfall that will continue to benefit communities right up and down our coast and over to the west. As I said, I support this bill.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The federal coalition therefore supports the passage of this bill and commends it to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
1 speaker · 1 oppose
“The Labor government should simply allow this Morrison-era policy to die a natural death in June this year, as it was meant to, rather than keep it going for another two years. They'll claim it's about tourism, but that's not tourism. Tourism is a working family heading up to Cairns for a holiday, to be alive in the sunshine for a week or two, and supporting the local establishments in the area. This bill is facilitating billionaire excess.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Record
House · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
House · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Referred to Federation Chamber
Referred to Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Reported from Federation Chamber
Reported from Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
House · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Senate · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Senate · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Senate · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Senate · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Parliament · Finally passed both Houses
Passed both houses
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Assent · Assent
Assent
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final step that turns a bill into law after Parliament passes it., turning the bill into an Act.
