Impact Analysis publication date
20 April 2023
Link to further information
For further information, see the Claims for wreck removal webpage.
Problem being addressed
Ships are Australia’s primary mode of transport for the import and export of goods and as demand grows, so does their movements through Australian waters, including sensitive marine areas. An increase in ship movement will increase the risk of ship and cargo wrecks occurring, having the potential to interrupt trade, threaten the safety of other ships, incur significant loss of life and property, and damage the marine and coastal environment. Wreck clean-up and its associated costs often fall on the Australian, state or territory governments, which have difficulty recovering costs.
Proposal
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts proposes that Australia become a party to the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks 2007 (the Nairobi Convention). The Nairobi Convention provides an internationally uniform legal framework for States to remove, or have removed, wrecks in the Exclusive Economic Zone that have the potential to adversely affect the environment, safety of lives, goods and property at sea.
Assessed RIS outcome
Exemplary