Jan McLucas (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing) Share this | Hansard source

in reply—I thank Senator Brandis for his contribution. The Transport Security Amendment (2008 Measures No. 1) Bill 2008 does not propose to vary any of the policy settings underpinning Australia’s transport security regimes. However, the bill will strengthen the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003 in a number of ways. The bill will allow for maritime, ship and offshore security plans to be approved for less than the current five-year period but not less than 12 months. It will enable regulations to be made to prescribe mapping standards for maritime security zones and security regulated port boundaries. The bill confirms the operation of the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act in external Australian territories and ensures the consistent usage of definitions and terms throughout the act.

The amendments clarify that industry participants may hold more than one approved security plan or program at the same time, and they recognise the validity of all existing plans held prior to the commencement of the bill. The passage of this bill will assist industry participants to comply with security obligations with greater clarity and certainty, thereby enhancing their capacity to get on with what they do best: keeping our transport industries moving. The passage of this bill in the current sitting of parliament will enable industry participants to focus on implementing and maintaining the measures outlined in their security plans and programs, thereby contributing to the strengthening of Australia’s transport security arrangements.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.