✦ Plain-English Summary

Special Recreational Vessels Bill 2019

What it does

This law lets special recreational vessels (like cruise ships or large tour boats) get temporary licenses to carry passengers around Australia's waters. Instead of going through a separate approval process, these vessels can now apply under the existing coastal shipping rules that already govern cargo ships and other vessels.

Why it matters

It removes red tape for recreational boat operators who want to offer passenger services along Australia's coast. By fitting them into the existing regulatory system, it should make it faster and cheaper for tour operators and cruise companies to get permission to operate in Australian waters.

Key details

• Who it affects: Owners and operators of special recreational vessels wanting to carry passengers commercially in Australian coastal waters
• How it works: These vessels apply for a temporary license, and their application is treated as if it were submitted under the existing Coastal Trading (Revitalising Australian Shipping) Act 2012 — so they follow those same rules
• When it started: The day after the bill received Royal Assent (in 2019)

No formal division recorded

This bill passed by voice vote — parliament agreed without calling a formal count. A division is only recorded when a member explicitly requests one.

No votes yet.

No votes were recorded for this bill.