Navigation Amendment 2024

# Navigation Amendment Bill 2024 ## What it does This bill updates Australia's maritime laws to include "industrial personnel vessels" — ships that carry workers to offshore facilities like wind farms or oil rigs. It adds these vessels and their workers into the existing safety and navigation rules that already apply to other ships and passengers. ## Why it matters Australia is expanding offshore industries, especially renewable energy. Without this change, the workers on these specialist vessels wouldn't have the same legal protections and safety standards as other people at sea. This closes a gap in maritime law. ## Key details - **New definitions**: The law now recognises "industrial personnel" (workers on these vessels) and requires the government to set out which ships count as industrial personnel vessels through regulations. - **Safety coverage**: Workers on these ships are now treated similarly to passengers under Australian maritime law, meaning they get the same safety and welfare protections. - **When it starts**: The changes come into effect the day after the bill receives Royal Assent (the Governor-General's formal approval) — essentially immediately.

🔒 Voting closed — this bill has been decided by parliament