Great Australian Bight (World Heritage Protection)

1. The bill would protect the Commonwealth Great Australian Bight areaThe offshore area defined by coordinates in the bill where the proposed mining ban would apply. from mining operationsActivities treated as mining under the EPBC Act, used here to cover prohibited work in the Bight area. and start the process for World Heritage listingThe international list of protected cultural and natural heritage sites under the World Heritage Convention. of the Great Australian Bight.

2. It would override other Commonwealth laws where they conflict with the bill, including the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation ActAustralia's main national environment law, often called the EPBC Act. and the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage ActThe Commonwealth law that regulates offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage activities..

3. A permit, title or other authorisation that allowed conduct inconsistent with the bill would have no effect to the extent of the conflict.

4. Mining operationsActivities treated as mining under the EPBC Act, used here to cover prohibited work in the Bight area. in the Commonwealth Great Australian Bight areaThe offshore area defined by coordinates in the bill where the proposed mining ban would apply. would become a criminal offence and a civil penalty breachA court-ordered financial penalty for breaching a law, separate from a criminal conviction., except for research or investigations relevant to conservation or protection of the area.

5. The bill sets higher penalties for aggravated cases, including conduct done for a commercial purpose or conduct that causes, or could cause, serious environmental harm.

6. The bill would let appointed inspectors use standard Commonwealth monitoring, investigation, infringement notice, civil penaltyA court-ordered financial penalty for breaching a law, separate from a criminal conviction. and injunction powers to enforce the ban.

7. As soon as reasonably practicable after commencement, the responsible minister would have to submit the Great Australian Bight for consideration as a World Heritage SiteThe international list of protected cultural and natural heritage sites under the World Heritage Convention..

No recorded votes have been found yet for this bill.