Prime Minister’s exemption – New fishing activities of size and scale unprecedented in Commonwealth marine areas – Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities

On 11 September 2012, the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities announced plans to extend legislative powers available under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 that would enable the Minister to prohibit some new fishing activities from occurring in Commonwealth fisheries while a further assessment of all potential impacts is undertaken by an expert panel. A Regulation Impact Statement was required for this proposal but the Acting Prime Minister granted an exemption on the basis of exceptional circumstances. A post-implementation review will be required within 1 to 2 years of its implementation.