Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

The purpose of the Special Recreational Vessels Bill is for an act to allow foreign special recreational vessels to apply for a special recreational vessel temporary licence to operate on the Australian coast if they choose to opt in to the regulatory regime. This will allow these vessels to be offered for hire or charter.

The special recreational vessel industry has advised it is expecting a large number of these vessels to be in the Pacific over the next 18 months for the Tokyo Olympics and the Americas Cup in Auckland.

The industry wants certainty that they can sail to Australia and be able to offer charters from this summer onwards.

Broader economic benefits are expected from the operation of these vessels in Australian waters. Australian businesses from florists and purveyors of fine foods to local tourist guides will have opportunities to supply these vessels with goods and services—not to mention what passengers might spend onshore in shops, cafes and restaurants.

Much of this activity will be in regional areas. From Tasmania to Far North Queensland, there will be many tourist destinations that would welcome visits from these vessels.

There are some 5,000 of this type of vessel around the world. Many have wanted to come to Australia, but the disincentives have been too great in the past. Our neighbours in the Pacific, including New Zealand—

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