Ms Catherine King (Ballarat, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In summing up on this bill, the Navigation Amendment Bill 2024, I thank the opposition for indicating their support for it. The bill seeks to ensure Australia continues to implement our obligations under the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea 1974, the SOLAS, including by meeting the relevant international standards on seafarer safety. The bill reflects amendments to the SOLAS convention to provide standards for the safety of industrial personnel. Industrial personnel are those persons transported or accommodated on board a vessel for the purpose of offshore industrial activities performed on board other ships or offshore facilities.

The carriage of industrial personnel differs to that of other passengers, as the vessels used are primarily offshore support vessels, and the transfer of industrial personnel often occurs in challenging environments. This requires specialist skills and control measures not required in usual passenger operations. These amendments recognise and support the uniqueness of the offshore sector and the importance of protecting the lives and health of those involved in these activities, as we look to the future possibilities of the maritime, offshore and energy sectors. I commend the bill to the House.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.

Ordered that this bill be reported to the House without amendment.