Aust. adopts new maritime laws

Press, 10 November 1983, Page 10

Aust. adopts new maritime laws

NZPA Canberra Australia will adopt six international marine pollution and shipping safety arrangements, after their acceptance by Government representatives just before a meeting of the International Maritime Organisation in London recently. The, Federal Transport Minister, Mr Peter Morris, said the action would bring Australia’s maritime laws into line with the most up-to-date and widely accepted international standards. The six conventions and protocols will, among other things, allow Australia to salvage, sink, destroy or remove cargo from an offending vessel if faced with

a grave and imminent threat of pollution because of a maritime accident One of the conventions will ensure adequate compensation is available to those who suffer damage caused by pollution of oil from ships. Another will ensure Australian safety standards and rescue methods are co-ordi-nated with those of other nations. Mr Morris said that acceptance of the measures demonstrated the Federal Government’s determination to seek multilateral solutions to the problems facing Australia’s maritime industry- •