Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Hansard source

I thought you were. The Minister for the Environment and Energy has a legislative role to ensure that shark safety activities are consistent with national environmental law. He is committed to working with states to find a path that achieves both public safety and good outcomes for the environment. Minister Frydenberg has been clear that public safety is of paramount importance, but he is committed to protecting the marine environment, including sharks.

It is the responsibility of state governments to consider whether shark safety activities will have a significant impact on matters protected under national environment law. The environment department continues to work with state agencies to help them understand their obligations, noting that the white shark is listed as a vulnerable and migratory species under the EPBC Act.

New South Wales has conducted its shark meshing program since 1937. Similarly, Queensland has conducted shark safety activities continuously for over 50 years. These activities predate the EPBC Act and, therefore, do not need to be referred to the Australian government for assessment. The department of the environment has not at this stage received referrals from New South Wales—