REC161-3025

That Australian Maritime Safety Authority should have a role in assuring continuing marine standards that are not inconsistent with Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 provisions and that Australian Maritime Safety Authority needs defined powers to assist National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority (NOPSA) in minimising risk in the offshore petroleum industry. Potential mechanisms for achieving this outcome include: providing Australian Maritime Safety Authority with defined powers and obligations under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006, thereby ensuring that the Authority becomes an effective inspector/regulator of vessels while they are deemed to be facilities; or revising the current Commonwealth maritime legislation disapplication provisions of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 with the aim of achieving the same goal. If it can be readily achieved and is an efficient regulatory option, we believe the first option is preferable.