Lisa Chesters (Bendigo, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, I present Report 221:BBNJ agreement.

Report made a parliamentary paper in accordance with standing order 39(e).

by leave—I am pleased to make a statement on behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties on Report 221: BBNJ agreement. The report focuses on the JSCOT inquiry into the agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction.

This landmark agreement, also known as the high seas treaty, will improve ocean conservation efforts and provide for the sustainable and fair use of our oceans. By addressing conservation gaps in areas beyond national jurisdictions, this treaty will help maintain the oceans' potential to provide for current and future generations. The high seas treaty addresses these conservation gaps, establishing area-based management tools, requiring environmental impact assessments for any planned activities, managing genetic resources collected from the high seas, and creating a framework for the transfer of marine technology to developing states.

Australia has long been an advocate for this treaty and a member of the High Ambitions Coalition for Nature and People, a group of nations committed to achieving ambitious outcomes for biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction. Australia has encouraged other countries to ratify this particular agreement to achieve the 60 ratifications needed for it to enter into force by the September 2025 deadline. Ratification will make Australia party to the agreement and will allow contributions to decision-making processes and the maintenance of international rules based law.

This treaty not only is crucial for supporting Australia's maritime industries, such as tourism, fishing and agriculture, but also reflects the government's commitments to international environmental leadership and nature positive agendas. This treaty aligns with Australia's interests, including bolstering international rules based order, enhancing domestic environmental protection, improving scientific endeavours and supporting foreign policy objectives. Ratification of the High Seas Biodiversity Treaty will complement existing domestic ocean conservation commitments made by Australia. It is 20 years in the making. Marine protection areas established under the treaty could broaden areas already protected within our own jurisdiction. It will enhance conservation outcomes and allow for regional collaboration for marine protection. This treaty is a priority for many nations within our region, the Indo-Pacific, and Australia's participation could play a leading role in its contribution to a secure, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

The committee supports the major treaty action considered in the report and recommends that binding treaty action be taken. Finally, I would like to thank and acknowledge the work of the JSCOT secretariat, the witnesses who participated in the hearing and the many people who made a submission. In particular I'd like to acknowledge the work of civil society environmental organisations and their members for their honest and passionate engagement. On behalf of the committee I commend the report to the House.