✦ Plain-English Summary

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Amendment (Coronavirus Economic Response Package) 2020

What it does

This law waives environmental management charges that businesses had to pay for operating in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park during the first three months of 2020 (January–March). If a company already paid these charges before the law passed, they'll get their money back.

Why it matters

During the early COVID-19 lockdowns, tourism and fishing businesses operating around the reef were hit hard. This was a quick financial relief measure to help keep these businesses afloat without having to pay the usual environmental fees during that crisis period.

Key details

• Who gets the refund: Any business holding a permit to operate in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park that paid environmental charges for January–March 2020
• What's waived: Both the charge itself and any late payment penalties attached to it
• Timing: The law took effect the day after it received Royal Assent (essentially immediately), so refunds could be processed quickly

Official Description

Amends the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 to waive the requirement for permission holders to remit the environmental management charge to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority for the period 1 January to 31 March 2020.

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.