Opened the debate
Whish-Wilson argued that the bill required strengthening to explicitly include marine protected areas as a vital form of specially managed zone, consistent with the BBNJ Agreement. Whish-Wilson stated that Australia should advance proposals for such areas in the Indian and Southern oceans and the Tasman Sea. Whish-Wilson contended that civil penalties in the bill were significantly lower than those under the EPBC Act and needed alignment to ensure a robust compliance regime. Whish-Wilson noted that while Australia had ratified the treaty, other key nations had not, making strong domestic enforcement essential for Australian operators.