Contents
Chapter 5—Conservation of biodiversity and heritage 1
Part 13—Species and communities 1
Division 5—Conservation advice, recovery plans, threat abatement plans and wildlife conservation plans 1
Subdivision AA—Approved conservation advice 1
266B...................... Approved conservation advice for listed threatened species and listed threatened ecological communities............................................................................................ 1
Subdivision A—Recovery plans and threat abatement plans 3
267........................ Simplified outline of this Subdivision................................. 3
268........................ Compliance with recovery plans and threat abatement plans 3
269........................ Implementing recovery and threat abatement plans............. 4
269AA.................. Decision whether to have a recovery plan........................... 4
269A..................... Making or adopting a recovery plan................................... 7
270........................ Content of recovery plans................................................... 9
270A..................... Decision whether to have a threat abatement plan............. 11
270B...................... Making or adopting a threat abatement plan...................... 13
271........................ Content of threat abatement plans..................................... 15
272........................ Eradication of non‑native species...................................... 16
273........................ Ensuring plans are in force............................................... 16
274........................ Scientific Committee to advise on plans............................ 18
275........................ Consultation on plans....................................................... 18
276........................ Consideration of comments.............................................. 19
277........................ Adoption of State plans.................................................... 19
278........................ Publication of plans.......................................................... 20
279........................ Variation of plans by the Minister.................................... 20
280........................ Variation by a State or Territory of joint plans and plans adopted by the Minister 21
281........................ Commonwealth assistance................................................ 22
282........................ Scientific Committee to advise on assistance.................... 22
283........................ Plans may cover more than one species etc....................... 23
283A..................... Revoking a plan................................................................ 23
284........................ Reports on preparation and implementation of plans........ 24
Subdivision B—Wildlife conservation plans 24
285........................ Wildlife conservation plans............................................... 24
286........................ Acting in accordance with wildlife conservation plans..... 25
287........................ Content of wildlife conservation plans.............................. 25
288........................ Eradication of non‑native species...................................... 27
289........................ Scientific Committee to advise on scheduling of plans..... 27
290........................ Consultation on plans....................................................... 27
291........................ Consideration of comments.............................................. 28
292........................ Adoption of State plans.................................................... 28
293........................ Publication, review and variation of plans........................ 29
294........................ Variation of plans by the Minister.................................... 29
295........................ Variation by a State or Territory of joint plans and plans adopted by the Minister 30
296........................ Commonwealth assistance................................................ 31
297........................ Plans may cover more than one species etc....................... 31
298........................ Reports on preparation and implementation of plans........ 31
Subdivision C—Miscellaneous 32
299........................ Wildlife conservation plans cease to have effect............... 32
300........................ Document may contain more than one plan...................... 32
300A..................... State and Territory laws not affected................................. 32
300B...................... Assistance from the Scientific Committee......................... 32
Division 6—Access to biological resources 34
301........................ Control of access to biological resources.......................... 34
Division 6A—Control of non‑native species 35
301A..................... Regulations for control of non‑native species................... 35
Division 7—Aid for conservation of species in foreign countries 36
302........................ Aid for conservation of species in foreign countries......... 36
Division 8—Miscellaneous 37
303........................ Regulations....................................................................... 37
303A..................... Exemptions from this Part................................................ 37
303AA.................. Conditions relating to accreditation of plans, regimes and policies 38
303AB................... Amended policies, regimes or plans taken to be accredited 39
Part 13A—International movement of wildlife specimens 40
Division 1—Introduction 40
303BA................... Objects of Part.................................................................. 40
303BAA................ Certain indigenous rights not affected............................... 40
303BB................... Simplified outline.............................................................. 41
303BC................... Definitions........................................................................ 42
Division 2—CITES species 44
Subdivision A—CITES species and CITES specimens 44
303CA................... Listing of CITES species.................................................. 44
303CB................... Stricter domestic measures................................................ 45
Subdivision B—Offences and permit system 46
303CC................... Exports of CITES specimens............................................ 46
303CD................... Imports of CITES specimens............................................ 47
303CE................... Applications for permits................................................... 49
303CF................... Further information........................................................... 49
303CG................... Minister may issue permits............................................... 49
303CH................... Specific conditions relating to the export or import of CITES specimens for commercial purposes 52
303CI.................... Time limit for making permit decision.............................. 55
303CJ.................... Duration of permits........................................................... 56
303CK................... Register of applications and decisions.............................. 56
Subdivision C—Application of CITES 56
303CL................... Application of CITES—Management Authority and Scientific Authority 56
303CM.................. Interpretation of CITES provisions................................... 56
303CN................... Resolutions of the Conference of the Parties to CITES.... 57
Division 3—Exports of regulated native specimens 58
Subdivision A—Regulated native specimens 58
303DA.................. Regulated native specimens.............................................. 58
303DB................... Listing of exempt native specimens.................................. 58
303DC................... Minister may amend list.................................................... 59
Subdivision B—Offence and permit system 61
303DD.................. Exports of regulated native specimens.............................. 61
303DE................... Applications for permits................................................... 62
303DF................... Further information........................................................... 62
303DG.................. Minister may issue permits............................................... 62
303DH.................. Time limit for making permit decision.............................. 65
303DI.................... Duration of permits........................................................... 66
303DJ.................... Register of applications and decisions.............................. 66
Division 4—Imports of regulated live specimens 67
Subdivision A—Regulated live specimens 67
303EA................... Regulated live specimens.................................................. 67
303EB................... Listing of specimens suitable for live import.................... 67
303EC................... Minister may amend list.................................................... 68
Subdivision B—Assessments relating to the amendment of the list of specimens suitable for import 70
303ED................... Amendment of list on the Minister’s own initiative.......... 70
303EE.................... Application for amendment of list..................................... 70
303EF.................... Requirement for assessments............................................ 71
303EG................... Timing of decision about proposed amendment................ 72
303EH................... Requesting further information......................................... 73
303EI..................... Notice of refusal of proposed amendment........................ 73
303EJ.................... Reviews............................................................................ 73
Subdivision C—Offence and permit system 73
303EK................... Imports of regulated live specimens.................................. 73
303EL.................... Applications for permits................................................... 74
303EM.................. Further information........................................................... 74
303EN................... Minister may issue permits............................................... 75
303EO................... Time limit for making permit decision.............................. 76
303EP.................... Duration of permits........................................................... 76
303EQ................... Register of applications and decisions.............................. 76
Subdivision D—Marking of certain specimens for the purposes of identification 77
303ER................... Object............................................................................... 77
303ES.................... Specimens to which Subdivision applies.......................... 77
303ET.................... Extended meaning of marking.......................................... 77
303EU................... Secretary may make determinations about marking of specimens 78
303EV................... Offences........................................................................... 79
303EW.................. This Subdivision does not limit conditions of permits...... 80
Division 5—Concepts relating to permit criteria 81
Subdivision A—Non‑commercial purpose exports and imports 81
303FA................... Eligible non‑commercial purpose exports......................... 81
303FB................... Eligible non‑commercial purpose imports......................... 81
303FC................... Export or import for the purposes of research.................. 82
303FD................... Export or import for the purposes of education................ 83
303FE.................... Export or import for the purposes of exhibition................ 83
303FF.................... Export or import for conservation breeding or propagation 84
303FG................... Export or import of household pets.................................. 85
303FH................... Export or import of personal items................................... 86
303FI..................... Export or import for the purposes of a travelling exhibition 87
Subdivision B—Commercial purpose exports and imports 87
303FJ.................... Eligible commercial purpose exports................................ 87
303FK................... Export or import from an approved captive breeding program 88
303FL.................... Export from an approved artificial propagation program.. 88
303FLA................. Export from an approved cultivation program.................. 88
303FM.................. Export from an approved aquaculture program................. 89
303FN................... Approved wildlife trade operation.................................... 89
303FO................... Approved wildlife trade management plan........................ 92
303FP.................... Accredited wildlife trade management plan....................... 94
303FQ................... Consultation with State and Territory agencies................. 95
303FR................... Public consultation............................................................ 96
303FRA................ Assessments..................................................................... 96
303FS.................... Register of declarations..................................................... 97
303FT.................... Additional provisions relating to declarations................... 97
303FU................... Approved commercial import program............................. 99
Division 6—Miscellaneous 100
303GA.................. Permit decision—controlled action, and action for which a non‑Part 13A permit is required 100
303GB................... Exceptional circumstances permit................................... 102
303GC................... Permit authorising the Secretary to export or import specimens 104
303GD.................. Testing permit—section 303EE assessments.................. 106
303GE................... Conditions of permits..................................................... 108
303GF................... Contravening conditions of a permit............................... 109
303GG.................. Authorities under permits............................................... 111
303GH.................. Transfer of permits......................................................... 112
303GI.................... Suspension or cancellation of permits............................. 112
303GJ.................... Review of decisions........................................................ 112
303GK................... Permit to be produced..................................................... 113
303GL................... Pre‑CITES certificate to be produced.............................. 114
303GM.................. Fees................................................................................ 115
303GN.................. Possession of illegally imported specimens.................... 115
303GO.................. Regulations relating to welfare........................................ 117
303GP................... Cruelty—export or import of animals............................. 118
303GQ.................. Imports of specimens contrary to the laws of a foreign country 119
303GR................... Evidence......................................................................... 119
303GS................... Evidence of examiner...................................................... 120
303GT................... Protection of witness...................................................... 122
303GU.................. Forms and declarations—persons arriving in Australia or an external Territory 123
303GV.................. Saving of other laws....................................................... 123
303GW.................. Part not to apply to certain specimens............................. 123
303GX.................. Part not to apply to certain specimens used by traditional inhabitants 125
303GY.................. When a specimen is lawfully imported............................ 127
Part 14—Conservation agreements 128
304........................ Object of this Part........................................................... 128
305........................ Minister may enter into conservation agreements........... 129
306........................ Content of conservation agreements............................... 133
306A..................... Conservation agreement may include declaration that actions do not need approval under Part 9 136
307........................ Conservation agreements to be legally binding............... 136
307A..................... Conservation agreements may deal with remediation or mitigation measures 137
308........................ Variation and termination of conservation agreements.... 138
309........................ Publication of conservation agreements.......................... 139
310........................ List of conservation agreements...................................... 141
311........................ Commonwealth, State and Territory laws....................... 141
312........................ Minister must not give preference................................... 141
Part 15—Protected areas 142
Division 1—Managing World Heritage properties 142
Subdivision A—Simplified outline of this Division 142
313........................ Simplified outline of this Division.................................. 142
Subdivision B—Seeking agreement on World Heritage listing 143
314........................ Special provisions relating to World Heritage nominations 143
Subdivision C—Notice of submission of property for listing 143
315........................ Minister must give notice of submission of property for listing etc. 143
Subdivision D—Plans for listed World Heritage properties in Commonwealth areas 144
316........................ Making plans.................................................................. 144
317........................ Notice of plans................................................................ 146
318........................ Commonwealth compliance with plans........................... 146
319........................ Review of plans every 5 years........................................ 146
Subdivision E—Managing World Heritage properties in States and self‑governing Territories 147
320........................ Application..................................................................... 147
321........................ Co‑operating to prepare and implement plans................. 147
322........................ Commonwealth responsibilities...................................... 148
Subdivision F—Australian World Heritage management principles 148
323........................ Australian World Heritage management principles......... 148
Subdivision G—Assistance for protecting World Heritage properties 149
324........................ Commonwealth assistance for protecting declared World Heritage properties 149
Division 1A—Managing National Heritage places 150
Subdivision A—Preliminary 150
324A..................... Simplified outline of this Division.................................. 150
Subdivision B—The National Heritage List 151
324C...................... The National Heritage List.............................................. 151
324D..................... Meaning of National Heritage values............................. 151
Subdivision BA—Inclusion of places in the National Heritage List: usual process 152
324E...................... Simplified outline............................................................ 152
324F...................... Definitions...................................................................... 153
324G..................... Meaning of assessment period....................................... 154
324H..................... Minister may determine heritage themes for an assessment period 154
324J....................... Minister to invite nominations for each assessment period 155
324JA.................... Minister to give nominations to Australian Heritage Council.. 156
324JB.................... Australian Heritage Council to prepare proposed priority assessment list 157
324JC.................... Matters to be included in proposed priority assessment list 158
324JD.................... Statement to be given to Minister with proposed priority assessment list 159
324JE.................... The finalised priority assessment list.............................. 159
324JF.................... Publication of finalised priority assessment list.............. 160
324JG.................... Australian Heritage Council to invite comments on places in finalised priority assessment list 160
324JH.................... Australian Heritage Council to assess places on finalised priority assessment list and give assessments to Minister.......................................................................... 162
324JI..................... Time by which assessments to be provided to Minister.. 164
324JJ..................... Decision about inclusion of a place in the National Heritage List 164
Subdivision BB—Inclusion of places in the National Heritage List: emergency process 167
324JK.................... Simplified outline............................................................ 167
324JL.................... Minister may include place in National Heritage List if under threat 168
324JM................... Minister to ask Australian Heritage Council for assessment 169
324JN.................... Publication of listing of place and inviting comments..... 170
324JO.................... Australian Heritage Council to assess place and give assessment to Minister 171
324JP.................... Time by which assessments to be provided to Minister.. 171
324JQ.................... Decision about place remaining in the National Heritage List 172
Subdivision BC—Other provisions relating to the National Heritage List 175
324JR.................... Co‑ordination with Scientific Committee—Council undertaking assessment 175
324JS.................... Co‑ordination with Scientific Committee—Council given assessment to Minister 177
324K...................... Listing process not affected by changing boundaries of a place 177
324L...................... Removal of places or National Heritage values from the National Heritage List 178
324M..................... Minister must consider advice of the Australian Heritage Council and public comments 179
324N..................... Specifying one or more additional National Heritage values for a National Heritage place 180
324P...................... National Heritage List must be publicly available........... 181
324Q..................... Certain information may be kept confidential.................. 181
324R...................... Disclosure of Australian Heritage Council’s assessments and advice 181
Subdivision C—Management plans for National Heritage places in Commonwealth areas 183
324S...................... Management plans for National Heritage places in Commonwealth areas 183
324T...................... Restriction on ability to make plans................................ 185
324U..................... Compliance with plans by the Commonwealth and Commonwealth agencies 185
324V..................... Multiple plans in the same document.............................. 185
324W..................... Review of plans at least every 5 years............................ 186
Subdivision D—Management of National Heritage places in States and self‑governing Territories 186
324X..................... Plans and Commonwealth responsibilities...................... 186
Subdivision E—The National Heritage management principles 187
324Y..................... National Heritage management principles....................... 187
Subdivision F—Obligations of Commonwealth agencies 188
324Z...................... Obligation to assist the Minister and the Australian Heritage Council 188
324ZA................... Protecting National Heritage values of places sold or leased 189
Subdivision G—Assistance for protecting National Heritage places 190
324ZB................... Commonwealth assistance for protecting National Heritage places 190
Subdivision H—Reviewing and reporting on the National Heritage List 191
324ZC................... Reviewing and reporting on the National Heritage List.. 191
Division 2—Managing wetlands of international importance 192
Subdivision A—Simplified outline of this Division 192
325........................ Simplified outline of this Division.................................. 192
Subdivision B—Seeking agreement on Ramsar designation 193
326........................ Commonwealth must seek agreement before designation 193
Subdivision C—Notice of designation of wetland 193
327........................ Minister must give notice of designation of wetland etc. 193
Subdivision D—Plans for listed wetlands in Commonwealth areas 194
328........................ Making plans.................................................................. 194
329........................ Notice of plans................................................................ 196
330........................ Commonwealth compliance with plans........................... 196
331........................ Review of plans every 5 years........................................ 196
Subdivision E—Management of wetlands in States and self‑governing Territories 196
332........................ Application..................................................................... 196
333........................ Co‑operating to prepare and implement plans................. 197
334........................ Commonwealth responsibilities...................................... 197
Subdivision F—Australian Ramsar management principles 198
335........................ Australian Ramsar management principles..................... 198
Subdivision G—Assistance for protecting wetlands 198
336........................ Commonwealth assistance for protecting declared Ramsar wetlands 198
Division 3—Managing Biosphere reserves 199
337........................ Definition of Biosphere reserve...................................... 199
338........................ Planning for management of Biosphere reserves............ 199
339........................ Commonwealth activities in Biosphere reserves............. 199
340........................ Australian Biosphere reserve management principles..... 200
341........................ Commonwealth assistance for protecting Biosphere reserves 200
Division 3A—Managing Commonwealth Heritage places 201
Subdivision A—Preliminary 201
341A..................... Simplified outline of this Division.................................. 201
341B...................... Extension to places etc. outside the Australian jurisdiction 201
Subdivision B—The Commonwealth Heritage List 202
341C...................... The Commonwealth Heritage List.................................. 202
341D..................... Meaning of Commonwealth Heritage values................. 202
Subdivision BA—Inclusion of places in the Commonwealth Heritage List: usual process 203
341E...................... Simplified outline............................................................ 203
341F...................... Definitions...................................................................... 204
341G..................... Meaning of assessment period....................................... 205
341H..................... Minister to invite nominations for each assessment period 205
341J....................... Minister to give nominations to Australian Heritage Council.. 206
341JA.................... Australian Heritage Council to prepare proposed priority assessment list 207
341JB.................... Matters to be included in proposed priority assessment list 209
341JC.................... Statement to be given to Minister with proposed priority assessment list 209
341JD.................... The finalised priority assessment list.............................. 210
341JE.................... Publication of finalised priority assessment list.............. 210
341JF.................... Australian Heritage Council to invite comments on places in finalised priority assessment list 211
341JG.................... Australian Heritage Council to assess places on finalised priority assessment list and give assessments to Minister.......................................................................... 212
341JH.................... Time by which assessments to be provided to Minister.. 214
341JI..................... Decision about inclusion of a place in the Commonwealth Heritage List 215
Subdivision BB—Inclusion of places in the Commonwealth Heritage List: emergency process 217
341JJ..................... Simplified outline............................................................ 217
341JK.................... Minister may include place in Commonwealth Heritage List if under threat 218
341JL.................... Minister to ask Australian Heritage Council for assessment 220
341JM................... Publication of listing of place and inviting comments..... 220
341JN.................... Australian Heritage Council to assess place and give assessment to Minister 221
341JO.................... Time by which assessments to be provided to Minister.. 222
341JP.................... Decision about place remaining in the Commonwealth Heritage List 222
Subdivision BC—Other provisions relating to the Commonwealth Heritage List 226
341JQ.................... Co‑ordination with Scientific Committee—Council undertaking assessment 226
341JR.................... Co‑ordination with Scientific Committee—Council given assessment to Minister 227
341K...................... Listing process not affected by changing boundaries of a place 228
341L...................... Removal of places or Commonwealth Heritage values from the Commonwealth Heritage List 228
341M..................... Minister must consider advice of the Australian Heritage Council and public comments 230
341N..................... Specifying one or more additional Commonwealth Heritage values for a Commonwealth Heritage place........................................................................................ 231
341P...................... Commonwealth Heritage List must be publicly available 232
341Q..................... Certain information may be kept confidential.................. 232
341R...................... Disclosure of Australian Heritage Council’s assessments and advice 233
Subdivision C—Management plans for Commonwealth Heritage places 235
341S...................... Management plans for Commonwealth Heritage places. 235
341T...................... Endorsing management plans for Commonwealth Heritage places 236
341U..................... Restriction on ability to make plans................................ 237
341V..................... Compliance with plans by the Commonwealth and Commonwealth agencies 237
341W..................... Multiple plans in the same document.............................. 237
341X..................... Review of plans at least every 5 years............................ 238
Subdivision D—The Commonwealth Heritage management principles 239
341Y..................... Commonwealth Heritage management principles........... 239
Subdivision E—Obligations of Commonwealth agencies 239
341Z...................... Obligation to assist the Minister and the Australian Heritage Council 239
341ZA................... Heritage strategies........................................................... 239
341ZB................... Heritage assessments and registers................................. 240
341ZC................... Minimising adverse impact on heritage values................ 241
341ZE.................... Protecting Commonwealth Heritage values of places sold or leased 242
Subdivision G—Assistance for protecting Commonwealth Heritage places 243
341ZG................... Commonwealth assistance for protecting Commonwealth Heritage places 243
Subdivision H—Reviewing and reporting on the Commonwealth Heritage List 244
341ZH................... Reviewing and reporting on the Commonwealth Heritage List 244
Division 4—Commonwealth reserves 245
Subdivision A—Simplified outline of this Division 245
342........................ Simplified outline of this Division.................................. 245
Subdivision B—Declaring and revoking Commonwealth reserves 246
343........................ Simplified outline of this Subdivision............................. 246
344........................ Declaring Commonwealth reserves................................ 246
345........................ Extent of Commonwealth reserve................................... 248
345A..................... Commonwealth usage rights vest in Director................. 248
346........................ Content of Proclamation declaring Commonwealth reserve 249
347........................ Assigning Commonwealth reserves and zones to IUCN categories 250
348........................ Australian IUCN reserve management principles........... 250
350........................ Revocation and alteration of Commonwealth reserves.... 250
351........................ Report before making Proclamation................................ 252
352........................ What happens to Director’s usage rights when Commonwealth reserve is revoked 253
Subdivision C—Activities in Commonwealth reserves 254
353........................ Simplified outline of this Subdivision............................. 254
354........................ Activities that may be carried on only under management plan 255
354A..................... Offences relating to activities that may only be carried on under management plan 256
355........................ Limits on mining operations in Commonwealth reserves 261
355A..................... Offence relating to mining operations............................. 263
356........................ Regulations controlling activities relating to Commonwealth reserves 265
356A..................... Charges for activities in Commonwealth reserves.......... 267
357........................ Managing Commonwealth reserves while a management plan is not in operation 268
358........................ Restriction on disposal of Director’s interests in Commonwealth reserves 269
359........................ Prior usage rights relating to Commonwealth reserves continue to have effect 270
359A..................... Traditional use of Commonwealth reserves by indigenous persons 271
359B...................... Director’s approval of actions and mining operations when a management plan is not in operation 271
Subdivision D—Complying with management plans for Commonwealth reserves 273
361........................ Simplified outline of this Subdivision............................. 273
362........................ Commonwealth and Commonwealth agencies to comply with management plan for Commonwealth reserve........................................................................................ 274
363........................ Resolving disagreement between land council and Director over implementation of plan 274
364........................ Resolving disagreement between Director and Board over implementation of plan 276
Subdivision E—Approving management plans for Commonwealth reserves 277
365........................ Simplified outline of this Subdivision............................. 277
366........................ Obligation to prepare management plans for Commonwealth reserves 277
367........................ Content of a management plan for a Commonwealth reserve.. 278
368........................ Steps in preparing management plans for Commonwealth reserves 281
369........................ Resolving disagreements between Director and Board in planning process 284
370........................ Approval of management plans for Commonwealth reserves 285
371........................ Approved management plans are disallowable instruments 286
372........................ Amendment and revocation of management plans for Commonwealth reserves 287
373........................ Expiry of management plans for Commonwealth reserves 287
Subdivision F—Boards for Commonwealth reserves on indigenous people’s land 287
374........................ Simplified outline of this Subdivision............................. 287
375........................ Application..................................................................... 288
376........................ Functions of a Board for a Commonwealth reserve........ 288
377........................ Minister must establish Board if land council or traditional owners agree 288
378........................ Altering the constitution of a Board or abolishing a Board 289
379........................ Appointment of Board members..................................... 291
379A..................... Fit and proper person...................................................... 292
380........................ Terms and conditions...................................................... 292
381........................ Remuneration.................................................................. 293
382........................ Termination of appointments of Board members............ 293
383........................ Procedure of a Board...................................................... 295
Subdivision G—Special rules for some Commonwealth reserves in the Northern Territory or Jervis Bay Territory 296
384........................ Simplified outline of this Subdivision............................. 296
385........................ Activities in Commonwealth reserve without management plan 296
386........................ What are the Kakadu region and the Uluru region?....... 297
387........................ No mining operations in Kakadu National Park.............. 297
388........................ Establishment and development of townships in the Kakadu region and Uluru region 298
389........................ Planning for townships................................................... 298
390........................ Special rules to protect Aboriginal interests in planning process 299
390A..................... Appointment of Northern Territory nominee to Board... 301
Division 5—Conservation zones 303
390B...................... Simplified outline of this Division.................................. 303
390C...................... Object of this Division.................................................... 303
390D..................... Proclamation of conservation zones................................ 303
390E...................... Regulating activities generally......................................... 304
390F...................... Charges for activities in conservation zones................... 306
390G..................... Other laws and regulations made for this Division......... 306
390H..................... Prior usage rights relating to conservation zones continue to have effect 307
390J....................... Revoking and altering conservation zones...................... 308
Chapter 5A—The List of Overseas Places of Historic Significance to Australia 309
Part 15A—The List of Overseas Places of Historic Significance to Australia 309
390K...................... The List of Overseas Places of Historic Significance to Australia 309
390L...................... Inclusion of places in the List of Overseas Places of Historic Significance to Australia 309
390M..................... Removal of places from the List of Overseas Places of Historic Significance to Australia or variation of statement of historic significance.................................... 310
390N..................... Inviting comments from other Ministers before taking action 310
390P...................... Minister may ask Australian Heritage Council for advice etc. 310
390Q..................... List of Overseas Places of Historic Significance to Australia to be publicly available 311
390R...................... Disclosure of Australian Heritage Council’s assessments and advice 311
Chapter 5B—Declared commercial fishing activities 312
Part 15B—Declared commercial fishing activities 312
Division 1—Prohibition 312
390SA................... Civil penalty—declared commercial fishing activities..... 312
390SB................... Offence—declared commercial fishing activities............ 312
Division 2—Declaring a commercial fishing activity 313
Subdivision A—What is a declared commercial fishing activity? 313
390SC................... What is a declared commercial fishing activity?............. 313
Subdivision B—Interim declaration 313
390SD................... Interim declaration.......................................................... 313
390SE.................... Consultation.................................................................... 315
Subdivision C—Final declaration 316
390SF.................... Final declaration.............................................................. 316
Subdivision D—Revoking declarations 317
390SG................... Revoking an interim or final declaration......................... 317
Division 3—Expert panel assessment of declared commercial fishing activity 318
390SH................... Establishment of expert panel......................................... 318
390SI..................... Terms and conditions...................................................... 319
390SJ.................... Procedure for assessment............................................... 319
390SK................... Timing of the report........................................................ 319
390SL.................... Publication of the report.................................................. 319
Division 4—Sunsetting of this Part 320
390SM.................. Sunsetting of this Part..................................................... 320
Chapter 6—Administration 321
Part 16—Precautionary principle and other considerations in making decisions 321
391........................ Minister must consider precautionary principle in making decisions 321
Part 17—Enforcement 324
Division 1—Wardens, rangers and inspectors 324
Subdivision A—Wardens and rangers 324
392........................ Appointment of wardens and rangers............................. 324
393........................ Arrangements for certain officers or employees to exercise powers etc. of wardens or rangers 324
394........................ Wardens ex officio........................................................... 325
395........................ Identity cards.................................................................. 325
Subdivision B—Inspectors 326
396........................ Appointment of inspectors.............................................. 326
397........................ Inspectors ex officio........................................................ 326
398........................ Arrangements for State and Territory officers to be inspectors 327
399........................ Identity cards.................................................................. 327
Subdivision BA—Exercise of powers of authorised officers outside the territorial sea 328
399A..................... Powers to be exercised consistently with UNCLOS...... 328
Subdivision BB—Exercise of powers of authorised officers in relation to Great Barrier Reef Marine Park 329
399B...................... Certain powers to be exercised only by certain authorised officers 329
Subdivision C—Miscellaneous 329
400........................ Regulations may give wardens, rangers and inspectors extra powers, functions and duties 329
401........................ Impersonating authorised officers and rangers............... 330
402........................ Offences against authorised officers and rangers............ 331
Division 2—Boarding of vessels etc. and access to premises 333
403........................ Boarding of vessels etc. by authorised officers............... 333
404........................ Authorised officers to produce identification.................. 336
405........................ Access to premises......................................................... 337
406........................ Powers of authorised officers......................................... 338
406A..................... Searches under paragraph 406(1)(ba)............................. 340
406AA.................. Taking things into possession......................................... 340
406B...................... Thing taken into possession is not a thing seized............ 341
Division 3—Monitoring of compliance 342
407........................ Monitoring powers......................................................... 342
407A..................... Operation of electronic equipment at premises................ 343
407B...................... Compensation for damage to electronic equipment......... 346
408........................ Monitoring searches with occupier’s consent................. 347
409........................ Monitoring warrants....................................................... 349
409A..................... Monitoring warrants by telephone or other electronic means 350
409B...................... Executing officer to be in possession of warrant............ 352
410........................ Details of monitoring warrant to be given to occupier etc. 353
411........................ Occupier entitled to be present during search.................. 353
412........................ Announcement before entry............................................ 353
412A..................... Other powers when on premises under monitoring warrant 354
Division 4—Search warrants 355
413........................ When search warrants can be issued............................... 355
414........................ Statements in warrants.................................................... 356
415........................ Powers of magistrate...................................................... 358
416........................ Warrants by telephone or other electronic means............ 359
417........................ The things that are authorised by a search warrant.......... 361
418........................ Availability of assistance, and use of force, in executing a warrant 363
418A..................... Executing officer to be in possession of warrant............ 364
419........................ Details of warrant to be given to occupier etc................. 364
420........................ Specific powers available to person executing warrant... 365
421........................ Use of equipment to examine or process things.............. 365
422........................ Use of electronic equipment at premises......................... 366
423........................ Compensation for damage to electronic equipment......... 369
424........................ Copies of seized things to be provided........................... 369
425........................ Occupier entitled to be present during search.................. 370
426........................ Receipts for things seized under warrant........................ 370
427........................ Restrictions on personal searches................................... 371
428........................ When a thing is in the possession of a person................ 371
Division 6—Arrest and related matters 372
430........................ Powers of arrest.............................................................. 372
431........................ Power to conduct a frisk search of an arrested person.... 373
432........................ Power to conduct an ordinary search of an arrested person 373
433........................ Power to conduct search of arrested person’s premises.. 373
433A..................... Interaction of this Division with Schedule 1................... 374
Division 6A—Provisions relating to detention of suspected foreign offenders 375
433B...................... Provisions relating to detention of suspected foreign offenders 375
Division 7—Miscellaneous provisions about searches, entry to premises, warrants etc. 376
434........................ Conduct of ordinary searches and frisk searches............ 376
435........................ Announcement before entry............................................ 376
436........................ Offence of making false statements in warrants.............. 376
437........................ Offences relating to telephone warrants.......................... 376
438........................ Retention of things seized under Division 4 or 6............ 377
440........................ Law relating to legal professional privilege not affected. 378
441........................ Other laws about search, arrest etc. not affected............. 378
442........................ Persons to assist authorised officers............................... 378
Division 8—Power to search goods, baggage etc. 381
443........................ Power to search goods, baggage etc............................... 381
Division 8A—Power to ask questions about specimens 383
443A..................... Authorised officer may ask questions about the nature or origin of specimens 383
Division 9—Power to ask for names and addresses 385
444........................ Authorised person may ask for person’s name and address 385
Division 10—Seizure and forfeiture etc. 386
Subdivision AA—Seizure of specimens involved in a contravention of Part 13A 386
444A..................... Seizure of specimens involved in a contravention of Part 13A 386
444B...................... Notice about seizure........................................................ 386
444C...................... Applications for return of specimen................................ 387
444D..................... Court action for return of specimen................................ 388
444E...................... Consignment of specimen with consent of owner.......... 388
444G..................... Retention of specimen..................................................... 389
444H..................... Forfeiture of specimen after end of retention period....... 390
Subdivision AB—Seizure of things (other than specimens involved in a contravention of Part 13A) 391
445........................ Seizure of things (other than specimens involved in a contravention of Part 13A) 391
446........................ Retention of things seized under this Subdivision.......... 392
Subdivision AC—Direction to deliver seizable items 394
447........................ Direction to deliver seizable items................................... 394
Subdivision B—Disposal of seized items 395
449........................ Immediate disposal of seized items................................. 395
449A..................... Disposal of seized items if Secretary cannot locate or identify person entitled etc. 397
Subdivision BA—Release of seized items to owner etc. 398
449BA................... Release of seized items to owner etc............................... 398
449BB................... How this Part applies in relation to things released conditionally 398
Subdivision C—Forfeiture of seized items 399
450........................ Court‑ordered forfeiture: order by court dealing with offence proceedings 399
450A..................... Court‑ordered forfeiture: other situations........................ 400
450B...................... Forfeiture of seized items by consent etc........................ 401
451........................ Dealings in forfeited items.............................................. 402
452........................ Delivery of forfeited items to the Commonwealth.......... 402
Subdivision F—Keeping of organisms or specimens that have been seized 403
453........................ Keeping of organisms or specimens retained under this Part 403
454........................ Recovery of costs of storing or keeping organisms or specimens 403
Subdivision G—Rescuing things 404
455........................ Rescuing things.............................................................. 404
456........................ Breaking or destroying things or documents to prevent seizure etc. 404
Subdivision H—Seizure of cages or containers 405
456AA.................. Power to seize cages or containers containing seizable things 405
456AB................... Retention of seized cage or container.............................. 405
456AC................... Retention of non‑seizable things contained in seized cages or containers 406
Division 12—Environmental audits 408
458........................ Directed environmental audits......................................... 408
459........................ Appointment of auditor and carrying out of audit........... 409
460........................ Nature of directed environmental audit........................... 409
461........................ Audit reports................................................................... 410
462........................ Directed environmental audits do not affect other audit obligations 411
Division 13—Conservation orders 412
Subdivision A—Simplified outline 412
463........................ Simplified outline of this Division.................................. 412
Subdivision B—Making and reviewing conservation orders 412
464........................ Minister may make conservation orders......................... 412
465........................ Duration of conservation orders..................................... 413
466........................ Reviews of conservation orders...................................... 414
467........................ Publication of conservation orders.................................. 414
468........................ Application for reconsideration of conservation orders or decisions on review 415
469........................ Reconsideration of conservation orders and decisions on review 416
Subdivision C—Complying with conservation orders 417
470........................ Contravening conservation orders is an offence............. 417
471........................ Minister to consider proposed actions etc....................... 417
472........................ Contents of notices of advice.......................................... 418
473........................ Review by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal............ 418
474........................ Assistance in complying with conservation orders......... 418
Division 14—Injunctions 420
475........................ Injunctions for contravention of the Act......................... 420
476........................ Injunctions for contraventions of conservation agreements 422
477........................ Discharge of injunctions................................................. 423
479........................ Certain considerations for granting injunctions not relevant 423
480........................ Powers conferred are in addition to other powers of the Court 424
Division 14A—Federal Court’s power to make remediation orders 425
480A..................... Remediation orders......................................................... 425
480B...................... Discharge of remediation orders..................................... 426
480C...................... Powers conferred are in addition to other powers of the Court 426
Division 14B—Minister’s power to make remediation determinations 427
Subdivision A—Making of remediation determinations 427
480D..................... Minister may make remediation determination................ 427
480E...................... Contents of a remediation determination......................... 427
480F...................... Notifying owners and occupiers of land of proposed remediation determination 428
480G..................... Notifying that remediation determination has been made 429
480H..................... Duration of remediation determinations.......................... 429
480J....................... Ministerial reconsideration of remediation determinations 429
Subdivision B—Federal Court may set aside remediation determination 430
480K...................... Applying to Federal Court to have remediation determination set aside 430
Subdivision C—Complying with remediation determinations 431
480L...................... Federal Court may order compliance with remediation determination 431
480M..................... Civil penalty for contravention of remediation determination 432
Subdivision D—Variation or revocation of remediation determinations 432
480N..................... Variation or revocation of remediation determination..... 432
Division 15—Civil penalties 433
Subdivision A—Obtaining an order for a civil penalty 433
481........................ Federal Court may order person to pay pecuniary penalty for contravening civil penalty provision 433
482........................ What is a civil penalty provision?.................................... 434
483........................ Contravening a civil penalty provision is not an offence. 434
484........................ Persons involved in contravening civil penalty provision 434
485........................ Recovery of a pecuniary penalty..................................... 435
Subdivision B—Civil penalty proceedings and criminal proceedings 435
486A..................... Civil proceedings after criminal proceedings.................. 435
486B...................... Criminal proceedings during civil proceedings............... 435
486C...................... Criminal proceedings after civil proceedings.................. 435
486D..................... Evidence given in proceedings for penalty not admissible in criminal proceedings 436
Subdivision C—Enforceable undertakings relating to contraventions of Part 3 civil penalty provisions 436
486DA.................. Acceptance of undertakings relating to contraventions of Part 3 civil penalty provisions 436
486DB................... Enforcement of undertakings.......................................... 437
Division 15A—Notices to produce or attend 438
486E...................... Application of Division.................................................. 438
486F...................... Minister may require person to provide information etc. 438
486G..................... Minister may require person to appear before Minister.. 439
486H..................... Persons to whom notices may not be given.................... 440
486J....................... Self‑incrimination........................................................... 440
Division 16—Review of administrative decisions 442
487........................ Extended standing for judicial review............................. 442
488........................ Applications on behalf of unincorporated organisations. 443
Division 17—Duty to provide accurate information 444
489........................ Providing false or misleading information to obtain approval or permit 444
490........................ Providing false or misleading information in response to a condition on an approval or permit 445
491........................ Providing false or misleading information to authorised officer etc. 446
Division 18—Liability of executive officers for corporations 447
493........................ Who is an executive officer of a body corporate?............ 447
494........................ Civil penalties for executive officers of bodies corporate 447
495........................ Criminal liability of executive officers of bodies corporate 448
496........................ Did an executive officer take reasonable steps to prevent contravention? 449
Division 18A—Liability of landholders for other people’s actions 451
496A..................... Who is a landholder?...................................................... 451
496B...................... Civil penalties for landholders........................................ 451
496C...................... Criminal liability of landholders...................................... 451
496D..................... Did a landholder take reasonable steps to prevent a contravention? 453
Division 19—Infringement notices 454
497........................ Infringement notices....................................................... 454
Division 20—Publicising contraventions 455
498........................ Minister may publicise contraventions of this Act or the regulations 455
Division 21—Immunity of officers 456
498A..................... Immunity of officers and assistants................................ 456
Division 22—Conduct of directors, employees and agents 457
498B...................... Conduct of directors, employees and agents................... 457
Part 18—Remedying environmental damage 460
499........................ Commonwealth powers to remedy environmental damage 460
500........................ Liability for loss or damage caused by contravention..... 461
501........................ Other powers not affected............................................... 462
Part 19—Organisations 463
Division 1—Establishment and functions of the Threatened Species Scientific Committee 463
502........................ Establishment.................................................................. 463
503........................ Functions of the Committee............................................ 463
Division 2—Establishment and functions of the Biological Diversity Advisory Committee 464
504........................ Establishment.................................................................. 464
505........................ Functions of the Committee............................................ 465
Division 2A—Indigenous Advisory Committee 466
505A..................... Establishment.................................................................. 466
505B...................... Functions of the Committee............................................ 466
Division 2B—Establishment and functions of the Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development 467
505C...................... Establishment.................................................................. 467
505D..................... Functions of the Committee............................................ 468
505E...................... Declared States and Territories....................................... 469
Division 3—Members and procedures of Committees 471
506........................ Application..................................................................... 471
507........................ Terms and conditions...................................................... 471
508........................ Remuneration.................................................................. 471
509........................ Termination of appointments of Committee members..... 472
510........................ Procedure of a Committee............................................... 473
Division 4—Advisory committees 475
511........................ Minister may establish advisory committees................... 475
512........................ Appointments................................................................. 475
513........................ Members of advisory committees................................... 475
514........................ Committee procedure...................................................... 476
Division 5—Director of National Parks 477
Subdivision A—Establishment, functions and powers 477
514A..................... Continuation................................................................... 477
514B...................... Functions........................................................................ 477
514C...................... Powers............................................................................ 478
514D..................... Requirements relating to functions and powers.............. 479
Subdivision B—Constitution of Director of National Parks 480
514E...................... Constitution.................................................................... 480
514F...................... Appointment................................................................... 481
514G..................... Acting appointments....................................................... 481
Subdivision C—Terms and conditions of appointment 481
514H..................... Term of office................................................................. 481
514J....................... Remuneration.................................................................. 482
514K...................... Outside employment....................................................... 482
514M..................... Leave of absence............................................................. 482
514N..................... Resignation..................................................................... 482
514P...................... Termination..................................................................... 482
514Q..................... Other terms and conditions............................................. 483
Subdivision D—Australian National Parks Fund 483
514R...................... Australian National Parks Fund...................................... 483
514S...................... Payments to Australian National Parks Fund................. 483
514T...................... Application of money..................................................... 484
Subdivision E—Accountability 485
514U..................... Application of Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 485
514V..................... Extra matters to be included in annual report.................. 485
Subdivision F—Miscellaneous 485
514W..................... Exemption from taxation................................................. 485
514X..................... Changes in office of Director.......................................... 485
Part 19A—Reconsideration of fees 487
514Y..................... Applications for reconsideration of fee........................... 487
514YA.................. Reconsideration of fee.................................................... 487
514YB................... Deadline for reconsideration........................................... 488
Part 20—Delegation 489
515........................ Delegation....................................................................... 489
515AA.................. Delegation by Minister in relation to Great Barrier Reef Marine Park 489
515AB................... Delegation by Secretary in relation to Great Barrier Reef Marine Park 490
Part 20A—Publication of information on the internet 492
515A..................... Publication of information on the internet....................... 492
Part 21—Reporting 493
Division 1—Annual reports 493
516........................ Annual report on operation of Act.................................. 493
516A..................... Annual reports to deal with environmental matters......... 493
Division 2—State of the environment reports 495
516B...................... State of the environment reports..................................... 495
Chapter 7—Miscellaneous 496
Part 22—Miscellaneous 496
517........................ Determinations of species............................................... 496
517A..................... Exemption for activities that might harm particular species introduced into particular areas 496
518........................ Non‑compliance with time limits.................................... 499
519........................ Compensation for acquisition of property....................... 499
520........................ Regulations..................................................................... 500
520A..................... Statements about the application of the Act..................... 502
521........................ Fees and charges must not be taxes................................ 503
521A..................... Time does not run if all or part of fee remains unpaid..... 503
522........................ Financial assistance etc. to be paid out of appropriated money 503
522A..................... Review of operation of Act............................................. 504
Chapter 8—Definitions 505
Part 23—Definitions 505
Division 1—Some definitions relating to particular topics 505
Subdivision A—Actions 505
523........................ Actions............................................................................ 505
524........................ Things that are not actions.............................................. 505
524A..................... Provision of grant funding is not an action..................... 506
Subdivision B—Areas 506
525........................ Commonwealth areas...................................................... 506
Subdivision C—Entities 508
526........................ Subsidiaries of bodies corporate..................................... 508
Subdivision D—Criminal law 508
527........................ Convictions..................................................................... 508
Subdivision E—Specimens 508
527A..................... Specimens....................................................................... 508
527B...................... Breeding in captivity....................................................... 510
527C...................... Artificial propagation...................................................... 510
527D..................... Things represented to be CITES specimens.................... 510
Subdivision F—Impacts 511
527E...................... Meaning of impact.......................................................... 511
Division 2—General list of definitions 513
528........................ Definitions...................................................................... 513
Schedule 1—Provisions relating to detention of suspected foreign offenders 541
Part 1—Preliminary 541
Division 1—Objects of this Schedule 541
1............................ Main objects of this Schedule......................................... 541
Division 2—Definitions 543
2............................ Definitions...................................................................... 543
Division 3—Appointment etc. of detention officers 544
3............................ Minister may appoint persons to be detention officers.... 544
4............................ Detention officers subject to directions........................... 544
5............................ Detention officer etc. not liable to certain actions............ 544
Division 4—Approval of authorised officers and detention officers 546
6............................ The Secretary may approve authorised officers and detention officers 546
7............................ Persons who are authorised officers for purposes of the Migration Act 1958 are taken to be approved for this Schedule......................................................................... 546
Part 2—Detaining suspected foreign offenders 549
Division 1—Initial detention by an authorised officer 549
8............................ Power to detain............................................................... 549
9............................ Relationship with Part IC of the Crimes Act 1914.......... 549
Division 2—Continued detention by a detention officer 550
10.......................... Detention officer may detain person already detained by authorised officer 550
Division 3—Detention on behalf of an authorised officer or detention officer 551
11.......................... Detention on behalf of an authorised officer or detention officer 551
Division 4—Moving detainees 552
12.......................... Power to move detainees................................................ 552
Division 5—End of detention 553
13.......................... End of detention.............................................................. 553
Division 6—Offence of escaping from detention 554
14.......................... Escape from detention..................................................... 554
Part 3—Searching and screening detainees and screening their visitors 555
Division 1—Searches of detainees 555
15.......................... Searches of detainees...................................................... 555
Division 2—Screening of detainees 557
16.......................... Power to conduct a screening procedure......................... 557
Division 3—Strip searches of detainees 559
17.......................... Power to conduct a strip search...................................... 559
18.......................... Rules for conducting a strip search................................. 561
Division 4—Keeping of things found by screening or strip search of detainees 564
19.......................... Possession and retention of certain things obtained during a screening procedure or strip search 564
20.......................... Approved officer may apply for a thing to be retained for a further period 565
21.......................... Magistrate may order that thing be retained.................... 566
Division 5—Screening detainees’ visitors 567
22.......................... Powers concerning entry to premises where detainee is detained 567
Division 6—Law applying to detainee in State or Territory prison etc. 569
23.......................... Detainees held in State or Territory prisons or remand centres 569
Part 4—Detainees’ rights to facilities for obtaining legal advice etc. 570
24.......................... Detainee may have access to certain advice, facilities etc. 570
Part 5—Identifying detainees 571
Division 1—Preliminary 571
25.......................... Definitions...................................................................... 571
26.......................... Meaning of personal identifier....................................... 571
27.......................... Limiting the types of identification tests that approved officers may carry out 573
Division 2—Identification of detainees 574
Subdivision A—Provision of personal identifiers 574
28.......................... Detainees must provide personal identifiers.................... 574
29.......................... Approved officers must require and carry out identification tests 575
30.......................... Information to be provided before carrying out identification tests 576
Subdivision B—How identification tests are carried out 576
31.......................... General rules for carrying out identification tests............ 576
32.......................... Use of force in carrying out identification tests............... 577
33.......................... Identification tests not to be carried out in cruel, inhuman or degrading manner etc. 579
34.......................... Approved officer may get help to carry out identification tests 579
35.......................... Identification tests to be carried out by approved officer of same sex as non‑citizen 579
36.......................... Independent person to be present.................................... 580
37.......................... Recording of identification tests...................................... 580
38.......................... Retesting......................................................................... 580
Subdivision C—Obligations relating to video recordings of identification tests 583
39.......................... Definitions...................................................................... 583
40.......................... Accessing video recordings............................................ 584
41.......................... Authorising access to video recordings.......................... 584
42.......................... Providing video recordings............................................. 585
43.......................... Unauthorised modification of video recordings.............. 587
44.......................... Unauthorised impairment of video recordings................ 587
45.......................... Meanings of unauthorised modification and unauthorised impairment etc. 587
46.......................... Destroying video recordings........................................... 588
Division 3—Identification of minors and incapable persons 589
47.......................... Minors............................................................................ 589
48.......................... Incapable persons........................................................... 589
Division 4—Obligations relating to detainees’ identifying information 591
Subdivision A—Preliminary 591
49.......................... Definitions...................................................................... 591
50.......................... Application..................................................................... 592
Subdivision B—Accessing identifying information 592
51.......................... Accessing identifying information.................................. 592
52.......................... Authorising access to identifying information................ 593
Subdivision C—Disclosing identifying information 594
53.......................... Disclosing identifying information................................. 594
54.......................... Authorising disclosure of identifying information to foreign countries etc. 596
Subdivision D—Modifying and impairing identifying information 597
55.......................... Unauthorised modification of identifying information.... 597
56.......................... Unauthorised impairment of identifying information...... 597
57.......................... Meanings of unauthorised modification and unauthorised impairment etc. 598
Subdivision E—Retaining identifying information 598
58.......................... Identifying information may be indefinitely retained....... 598
Part 6—Disclosure of detainees’ personal information 600
59.......................... Disclosure of detainees’ personal information................ 600
Endnotes 601
Endnote 1—About the endnotes 601
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key 602
Endnote 3—Legislation history 603
Endnote 4—Amendment history 611
Chapter 5—Conservation of biodiversity and heritage
Part 13—Species and communities
Division 5—Conservation advice, recovery plans, threat abatement plans and wildlife conservation plans
Subdivision AA—Approved conservation advice
266B Approved conservation advice for listed threatened species and listed threatened ecological communities
Minister to ensure there is approved conservation advice
(1) The Minister must ensure that there is approved conservation advice for each listed threatened species (except one that is extinct or that is a conservation dependent species), and each listed threatened ecological community, at all times while the species or community continues to be listed.
(2) For this purpose, approved conservation advice is a document, approved in writing by the Minister (and as changed from time to time in accordance with subsection (3)), that contains:
(a) a statement that sets out:
(i) the grounds on which the species or community is eligible to be included in the category in which it is listed; and
(ii) the main factors that are the cause of it being so eligible; and
(b) either:
(i) information about what could appropriately be done to stop the decline of, or support the recovery of, the species or community; or
(ii) a statement to the effect that there is nothing that could appropriately be done to stop the decline of, or support the recovery of, the species or community.
Changing approved conservation advice
(3) The Minister may, in writing, approve changes to approved conservation advice.
Consultation with Scientific Committee
(4) If the Minister proposes to approve a document as approved conservation advice, the Minister must consult the Scientific Committee about the document, unless its content is substantially the same as material that the Committee has previously provided to the Minister.
(5) If the Minister proposes to approve a change to approved conservation advice, the Minister must consult the Scientific Committee about the change, unless the change is substantially the same as a change that the Scientific Committee has previously advised the Minister should be made.
Publication requirements
(6) If the Minister approves a document as approved conservation advice, the Minister must:
(a) within 10 days of the approval of the document, publish the approved conservation advice on the internet; and
(b) comply with any other publication requirements of the regulations.
(7) If the Minister approves a change to approved conservation advice, the Minister must:
(a) within 10 days of the approval of the change, publish the advice, as changed, on the internet; and
(b) comply with any other publication requirements of the regulations.
Instruments of approval are not legislative instruments
(8) An instrument of approval under subsection (2) or (3) is not a legislative instrument.
Subdivision A—Recovery plans and threat abatement plans
267 Simplified outline of this Subdivision
The following is a simplified outline of this Subdivision:
Recovery plans for listed threatened species and ecological communities and threat abatement plans for key threatening processes bind the Commonwealth and Commonwealth agencies.
The Minister need ensure that a recovery plan is in force for a listed threatened species or ecological community only if the Minister decides to have a recovery plan. The Minister must decide whether to have a recovery plan for the species or community within 90 days after it becomes listed. The Minister may, at any other time, decide whether to have such a plan.
The Minister need ensure a threat abatement plan is in force for a key threatening process only if the Minister decides that a plan is a feasible, effective and efficient way of abating the process. The Minister must consult before making such a decision.
A recovery plan or threat abatement plan can be made by the Minister alone or jointly with relevant States and Territories, or the Minister can adopt a State or Territory plan. There must be public consultation and advice from the Scientific Committee about the plan, regardless of how it is made or adopted.
268 Compliance with recovery plans and threat abatement plans
A Commonwealth agency must not take any action that contravenes a recovery plan or a threat abatement plan.
269 Implementing recovery and threat abatement plans
(1) Subject to subsection (2), the Commonwealth must implement a recovery plan or threat abatement plan to the extent to which it applies in Commonwealth areas.
(2) If a recovery plan or a threat abatement plan applies outside Commonwealth areas in a particular State or self‑governing Territory, the Commonwealth must seek the co‑operation of the State or Territory with a view to implementing the plan jointly with the State or Territory to the extent to which the plan applies in the State or Territory.
269AA Decision whether to have a recovery plan
Minister has an initial obligation and then a discretion
(1) The Minister must decide whether to have a recovery plan for a listed threatened species (except one that is extinct or that is a conservation dependent species) or a listed threatened ecological community within 90 days after the species or community becomes listed. The Minister may, at any other time, decide whether to have a recovery plan for the species or community.
(2) In this section:
(a) the decision that the Minister is required by subsection (1) to make in relation to the species or community within the 90 day period referred to in that subsection is the initial recovery plan decision; and
(b) any subsequent decision that the Minister makes under subsection (1) in relation to the species or community is a subsequent recovery plan decision.
Making the initial recovery plan decision
(3) In making the initial recovery plan decision, the Minister must have regard to the recommendation (the initial recommendation) made by the Scientific Committee as mentioned in paragraph 189(1B)(c) in relation to the species or community.
Making a subsequent recovery plan decision (unless subsection (5) applies)
(4) In making a subsequent recovery plan decision in relation to the species or community, other than a decision to which subsection (5) applies:
(a) the Minister must have regard to the initial recommendation in relation to the species or community; and
(b) the Minister must have regard to any advice subsequently provided to the Minister by the Scientific Committee about whether there should be a recovery plan for the species or community.
Changing from a decision to have a recovery plan to a decision not to have a recovery plan—additional requirements
(5) If, at a time when a decision to have a recovery plan for the species or community is in force (whether or not the plan has yet been made), the Minister is proposing to make a subsequent recovery plan decision that there should not be a recovery plan for the species or community:
(a) the Minister must ask the Scientific Committee for advice relating to the proposed decision; and
(b) the Minister must publish a notice inviting comments on the proposed decision in accordance with subsection (7); and
(c) the Minister must, in deciding whether to make the proposed decision, take account of:
(i) any advice provided by the Scientific Committee in relation to the proposed decision; and
(ii) subject to subsection (6), the comments the Minister receives in response to the notice referred to in paragraph (b).
(6) The Minister is not required to take a comment referred to in subparagraph (5)(c)(ii) into account if:
(a) the Minister does not receive the comment until after the cut‑off date specified in the notice under paragraph (5)(b); or
(b) the Minister considers that regulations referred to in paragraph (8)(b) have not been complied with in relation to the comment.
(7) The notice referred to in paragraph (5)(b):
(a) must be published in accordance with the regulations referred to in paragraph (8)(a); and
(b) must set out the decision the Minister proposed to make; and
(c) must invite people to make comments, to the Minister, about the proposed decision; and
(d) must specify the date (the cut‑off date) by which comments must be received, which must be at least 30 business days after the notice has been published as required by paragraph (a); and
(e) must specify, or refer to, the manner and form requirements that, under regulations referred to in paragraph (8)(b), apply to making comments; and
(f) may also include any other information that the Minister considers appropriate.
(8) The regulations must provide for the following:
(a) how a notice referred to in paragraph (5)(b) is to be published;
(b) the manner and form for making comments.
General publication requirements
(9) The Minister must publish the following:
(a) the Minister’s initial recovery plan decision, and the reasons for it;
(b) each subsequent recovery plan decision (if any), and the reasons for it.
The regulations may specify how the publication is to be made. Subject to any such regulations, the publication must be made in a way that the Minister considers appropriate.
Note: This subsection must be complied with, even if the Minister has already published notice of the proposed decision in accordance with subsections (5) and (7).
Decisions not legislative instruments
(10) An instrument making a decision under subsection (1) is not a legislative instrument.
269A Making or adopting a recovery plan
Application
(1) This section applies only if the Minister’s most recent decision under section 269AA in relation to a listed threatened species (except one that is extinct or that is a conservation dependent species) or a listed threatened ecological community is to have a recovery plan for the species or community.
Note: Subsection 273(1) sets a deadline of 3 years from the decision for ensuring that a recovery plan is in force for the species or community. Subsection 273(2) allows that period to be extended.
Making a plan
(2) The Minister may make a written recovery plan for the purposes of the protection, conservation and management of:
(a) a listed threatened species (except one that is extinct or is a conservation dependent species); or
(b) a listed threatened ecological community.
Making a plan jointly with a State or Territory
(3) The Minister may make a written recovery plan for the purposes of the protection, conservation and management of a listed threatened species (except one that is extinct or is a conservation dependent species) or a listed threatened ecological community jointly with one or more of the States and self‑governing Territories in which the species or community occurs, or with agencies of one or more of those States and Territories.
Content of a plan
(4) The Minister must not make a recovery plan under subsection (2) or (3) unless the plan meets the requirements of section 270.
Prerequisites to making a plan
(5) Before making a recovery plan under subsection (2) or (3) for a listed threatened species or listed threatened ecological community, the Minister must:
(a) consult the appropriate Minister of each State and self‑governing Territory in which the species or community occurs, and in which actions that the plan would provide for would occur, with a view to:
(i) taking the views of each of those States and Territories into account in making the plan under subsection (2); or
(ii) making the plan jointly under subsection (3);
unless the species or community occurs only in a Commonwealth area; and
(b) consider the advice of the Scientific Committee given under section 274; and
(c) consult about the plan and consider comments in accordance with sections 275 and 276.
Limits on making a plan
(6) The Minister must not make a recovery plan under subsection (2) for a species or ecological community that occurs wholly or partly outside a Commonwealth area unless the Minister is satisfied that it is not reasonably practicable, within the period of 3 years referred to in subsection 273(1), to make the plan under subsection (3) of this section with each State or Territory:
(a) in which the species or community occurs; and
(b) in which actions that the plan would provide for would occur, if the plan were made under subsection (2) of this section.
Adopting a State or Territory plan
(7) The Minister may, by instrument in writing, adopt as a recovery plan a plan made by a State, a self‑governing Territory or an agency of a State or self‑governing Territory (whether or not the plan is in force in the State or Territory). The Minister may adopt the plan with such modifications as are specified in the instrument. This subsection has effect subject to section 277.
Note: Section 277 requires that:
(a) an adopted plan have the content required for a recovery plan by section 270; and
(b) there has been adequate consultation in making the plan adopted; and
(c) the Minister consult the Scientific Committee about the content of the plan.
Effect of adopting a plan
(8) A plan adopted under subsection (7) has effect as if it had been made under subsection (2) (whether it was adopted with modifications or not).
270 Content of recovery plans
(1) A recovery plan must provide for the research and management actions necessary to stop the decline of, and support the recovery of, the listed threatened species or listed threatened ecological community concerned so that its chances of long‑term survival in nature are maximised.
(2) In particular, a recovery plan must (subject to subsection (2A)):
(a) state the objectives to be achieved (for example, removing a species or community from a list, or indefinite protection of existing populations of a species or community); and
(b) state criteria against which achievement of the objectives is to be measured (for example, a specified number and distribution of viable populations of a species or community, or the abatement of threats to a species or community); and
(c) specify the actions needed to achieve the objectives; and
(ca) identify threats to the species or community; and
(d) identify the habitats that are critical to the survival of the species or community concerned and the actions needed to protect those habitats; and
(e) identify any populations of the species or community concerned that are under particular pressure of survival and the actions needed to protect those populations; and
(f) state the estimated duration and cost of the recovery process; and
(g) identify:
(i) interests that will be affected by the plan’s implementation; and
(ii) organisations or persons who will be involved in evaluating the performance of the recovery plan; and
(h) specify any major benefits to native species or ecological communities (other than those to which the plan relates) that will be affected by the plan’s implementation; and
(j) meet prescribed criteria (if any) and contain provisions of a prescribed kind (if any).
(2A) A recovery plan need only address the matters mentioned in paragraphs (2)(d), (e), (f), (g) and (h) to the extent to which it is practicable to do so.
(3) In making a recovery plan, regard must be had to:
(a) the objects of this Act; and
(b) the most efficient and effective use of the resources that are allocated for the conservation of species and ecological communities; and
(c) minimising any significant adverse social and economic impacts, consistently with the principles of ecologically sustainable development; and
(d) meeting Australia’s obligations under international agreements between Australia and one or more countries relevant to the species or ecological community to which the plan relates; and
(e) the role and interests of indigenous people in the conservation of Australia’s biodiversity.
270A Decision whether to have a threat abatement plan
Decision
(1) The Minister may at any time decide whether to have a threat abatement plan for a threatening process in the list of key threatening processes established under section 183. The Minister must do so:
(a) within 90 days of the threatening process being included in the list; and
(b) within 5 years of the last decision whether to have a threat abatement plan for the process, if that decision was not to have a threat abatement plan for the process.
Basis for decision
(2) The Minister must decide to have a threat abatement plan for the process if he or she believes that having and implementing a threat abatement plan is a feasible, effective and efficient way to abate the process. The Minister must decide not to have a threat abatement plan if he or she does not believe that.
Consultation before making a decision
(3) Before making a decision under this section, the Minister must:
(a) request the Scientific Committee to give advice within a specified period; and
(b) take reasonable steps to request any Commonwealth agency, any State, any self‑governing Territory, and any agency of a State or self‑governing Territory, that would be affected by or interested in abatement of the process to give advice within a specified period;
on the feasibility, effectiveness or efficiency of having and implementing a threat abatement plan to abate the process.
Consulting others
(4) Subsection (3) does not prevent the Minister from requesting any other person or body to give advice within a specified period on the feasibility, effectiveness or efficiency of having and implementing a threat abatement plan to abate the process.
Request may be made before listing
(5) A request for advice on the feasibility, effectiveness or efficiency of having and implementing a threat abatement plan to abate the process may be made before or after the process is included in the list of key threatening processes established under section 183.
Time for giving advice
(6) The Minister must not make a decision whether to have a threat abatement plan for the process before the end of the period within which he or she has requested a person or body to give advice on the feasibility, effectiveness or efficiency of having and implementing a threat abatement plan to abate the process.
Considering views expressed in consultation
(7) When the Minister is making a decision under this section, he or she must consider the advice that a person or body gave on request within the period specified in the request.
Publishing decision and reasons
(8) The Minister must publish in accordance with the regulations (if any):
(a) a decision whether or not to have a threat abatement plan for a key threatening process; and
(b) the Minister’s reasons for the decision.
Special rules for processes included in original list
(9) Subsections (3), (4), (5), (6) and (7) do not apply in relation to a decision about a process included in the list under section 183 as first established.
270B Making or adopting a threat abatement plan
Application
(1) This section applies only if the Minister’s most recent decision under section 270A in relation to a key threatening process is to have a threat abatement plan for the process.
Note: Section 273 sets a deadline of 3 years from the decision for ensuring that a threat abatement plan is in force for the process.
Making a plan
(2) The Minister may make a written threat abatement plan for the purposes of reducing the effect of the process.
Making a plan jointly with a State or Territory
(3) The Minister may make a written threat abatement plan for the purposes of reducing the effect of the process, jointly with the States and self‑governing Territories in which the process occurs or with agencies of those States and Territories.
Content of a plan
(4) The Minister must not make a threat abatement plan under subsection (2) or (3) unless the plan meets the requirements of section 271.
Prerequisites to making a plan
(5) Before making a threat abatement plan for the process under subsection (2) or (3), the Minister must:
(a) consult the appropriate Minister of each State and self‑governing Territory in which the process occurs, with a view to:
(i) taking the views of each of those States and Territories into account in making the plan under subsection (2); or
(ii) making the plan jointly under subsection (3);
unless the process occurs only in a Commonwealth area; and
(b) consider the advice of the Scientific Committee given under section 274; and
(c) consult about the plan and consider comments in accordance with sections 275 and 276.
Limits on making a plan
(6) The Minister must not make a threat abatement plan under subsection (2) for a process that occurs wholly or partly outside a Commonwealth area unless the Minister is satisfied that it is not reasonably practicable to make the plan:
(a) jointly with each of the States and self‑governing Territories in which the process occurs; and
(b) within 3 years of the decision to have the plan.
Adopting a State or Territory plan
(7) The Minister may, by instrument in writing, adopt as a threat abatement plan for the process a plan made by a State, a self‑governing Territory or an agency of a State or self‑governing Territory (whether or not the plan is in force in the State or Territory). The Minister may adopt the plan with such modifications as are specified in the instrument. This subsection has effect subject to section 277.
Note: Section 277 requires that:
(a) an adopted plan have the content required for a threat abatement plan by section 271; and
(b) there has been adequate consultation in making the plan adopted; and
(c) the Minister consult the Scientific Committee about the content of the plan.
Effect of adopting a plan
(8) A plan adopted under subsection (7) has effect as if it had been made under subsection (2), whether it was adopted with modifications or not.
271 Content of threat abatement plans
(1) A threat abatement plan must provide for the research, management and other actions necessary to reduce the key threatening process concerned to an acceptable level in order to maximise the chances of the long‑term survival in nature of native species and ecological communities affected by the process.
(2) In particular, a threat abatement plan must:
(a) state the objectives to be achieved; and
(b) state criteria against which achievement of the objectives is to be measured; and
(c) specify the actions needed to achieve the objectives; and
(g) meet prescribed criteria (if any) and contain provisions of a prescribed kind (if any).
(3) In making a threat abatement plan, regard must be had to:
(a) the objects of this Act; and
(b) the most efficient and effective use of the resources that are allocated for the conservation of species and ecological communities; and
(c) minimising any significant adverse social and economic impacts consistently with the principles of ecologically sustainable development; and
(d) meeting Australia’s obligations under international agreements between Australia and one or more countries relevant to the species or ecological community threatened by the key threatening process that is the subject of the plan; and
(e) the role and interests of indigenous people in the conservation of Australia’s biodiversity.
(4) A threat abatement plan may:
(a) state the estimated duration and cost of the threat abatement process; and
(b) identify organisations or persons who will be involved in evaluating the performance of the threat abatement plan; and
(c) specify any major ecological matters (other than the species or communities threatened by the key threatening process that is the subject of the plan) that will be affected by the plan’s implementation.
(5) Subsection (4) does not limit the matters that a threat abatement plan may include.
272 Eradication of non‑native species
If:
(a) the actions specified under paragraph 270(2)(c) in a recovery plan, or under paragraph 271(2)(c) in a threat abatement plan, include the eradication of a non‑native species; and
(b) the species is threatened in a country in which its native habitat occurs;
the recovery plan, or threat abatement plan, must require the Commonwealth to offer to provide stock of the species to that country before the eradication proceeds.
273 Ensuring plans are in force
When a plan comes into force
(1A) A recovery plan or a threat abatement plan comes into force on the day on which it is made or adopted, or on a later day specified by the Minister in writing.
Deadline for recovery plan
(1) Subject to subsection (2), a recovery plan for a listed threatened species or a listed threatened ecological community must be made and in force within 3 years of the decision under section 269AA to have the plan.
(2) The Minister may, in writing, extend the period within which a recovery plan must be made. Only one extension can be granted for the making of the plan, and the period of the extension must not be more than 3 years.
Ensuring recovery plan is in force
(3) Once the first recovery plan for a listed threatened species or a listed threatened ecological community is in force, the Minister must exercise his or her powers under this Subdivision to ensure that a recovery plan is in force for the species or community until the Minister decides under section 269AA not to have a recovery plan for the species or community.
Note: The Minister may revoke a recovery plan for a listed threatened species or a listed threatened ecological community if the Minister decides under section 269AA not to have a recovery plan for the species or community. See section 283A.
Deadline for threat abatement plan
(4) A threat abatement plan for a key threatening process must be made and in force within 3 years of the decision under section 270A to have the plan.
Ensuring threat abatement plan is in force
(5) Once the first threat abatement plan for a key threatening process is in force, the Minister must exercise his or her powers under this Subdivision to ensure that a threat abatement plan is in force for the process until the Minister decides under section 270A not to have a threat abatement plan for the process.
Note: The Minister may revoke a threat abatement plan for a key threatening process if the Minister decides under section 270A not to have a threat abatement plan for the process. See section 283A.
274 Scientific Committee to advise on plans
(1) The Minister must obtain and consider the advice of the Scientific Committee on:
(a) the content of recovery and threat abatement plans; and
(b) the times within which, and the order in which, such plans should be made.
(2) In giving advice about a recovery plan, the Scientific Committee must take into account the following matters:
(a) the degree of threat to the survival in nature of the species or ecological community in question;
(b) the potential for the species or community to recover;
(c) the genetic distinctiveness of the species or community;
(d) the importance of the species or community to the ecosystem;
(e) the value to humanity of the species or community;
(f) the efficient and effective use of the resources allocated to the conservation of species and ecological communities.
(3) In giving advice about a threat abatement plan, the Scientific Committee must take into account the following matters:
(a) the degree of threat that the key threatening process in question poses to the survival in nature of species and ecological communities;
(b) the potential of species and ecological communities so threatened to recover;
(c) the efficient and effective use of the resources allocated to the conservation of species and ecological communities.
275 Consultation on plans
(1) Before making a recovery plan or threat abatement plan under this Subdivision, the Minister must:
(a) take reasonable steps to ensure that copies of the proposed plan are available for purchase, for a reasonable price, at prescribed places in each State and self‑governing territory; and
(b) give a copy of it, together with a notice of a kind referred to in subsection (2), to the Scientific Committee; and
(c) cause the notice to be published:
(i) in the Gazette; and
(ii) in a daily newspaper that circulates generally in each State, and self‑governing Territory, in which the relevant listed threatened native species, listed threatened ecological community or key threatening process occurs; and
(iii) in any other way required by the regulations (if any).
(2) The notice must:
(a) specify the places where copies of the proposed plan may be purchased; and
(b) invite persons to make written comments about the proposed plan; and
(c) specify:
(i) an address for lodgment of comments; and
(ii) a day by which comments must be made.
(3) The day specified must not be a day occurring within 3 months after the notice is published in the Gazette.
276 Consideration of comments
The Minister:
(a) must, in accordance with the regulations (if any), consider all comments on a proposed recovery plan or threat abatement plan made in response to an invitation under section 275; and
(b) may revise the plan to take account of those comments.
277 Adoption of State plans
(1) The Minister must not adopt a plan as a recovery plan or a threat abatement plan under this Subdivision unless:
(a) the Minister is satisfied that an appropriate level of consultation has been undertaken in making the plan; and
(b) the plan meets the requirements of section 270 or 271, as the case requires.
(2) Before adopting a plan, the Minister must obtain and consider advice from the Scientific Committee on the content of the plan.
278 Publication of plans
(1) As soon as practicable after the Minister makes or adopts a recovery plan or a threat abatement plan under this Subdivision, the Minister must:
(a) make copies of the plan available for purchase, for a reasonable price, at a prescribed place in each State and self‑governing Territory; and
(b) give notice of the making or adopting of each such plan; and
(c) publish the notice:
(i) in the Gazette; and
(ii) in a daily newspaper that circulates generally in each State, and self‑governing Territory; and
(iii) in any other way required by the regulations (if any).
(2) The notice must:
(a) state that the Minister has made or adopted the plan; and
(b) specify the day on which the plan comes into force; and
(c) specify the places where copies of the plan may be purchased.
279 Variation of plans by the Minister
(1) The Minister may, at any time, review a recovery plan or threat abatement plan that has been made or adopted under this Subdivision and consider whether a variation of it is necessary.
(2) Each plan must be reviewed by the Minister at intervals of not longer than 5 years.
(3) If the Minister considers that a variation of a plan is necessary, the Minister may, subject to subsections (4), (5), (6) and (7), vary the plan.
(4) The Minister must not vary a plan, unless the plan, as so varied, continues to meet the requirements of section 270 or 271, as the case requires.
(5) Before varying a plan, the Minister must obtain and consider advice from the Scientific Committee on the content of the variation.
(6) If the Minister has made a plan jointly with, or adopted a plan that has been made by, a State or self‑governing Territory, or an agency of a State or self‑governing Territory, the Minister must seek the co‑operation of that State or Territory, or that agency, with a view to varying the plan.
(7) Sections 275, 276 and 278 apply to the variation of a plan in the same way that those sections apply to the making of a recovery plan or threat abatement plan.
280 Variation by a State or Territory of joint plans and plans adopted by the Minister
(1) If a State or self‑governing Territory varies a plan that:
(a) the Minister has made jointly with the State or self‑governing Territory, or an agency of the State or Territory; or
(b) has been adopted by the Minister as a recovery plan or a threat abatement plan;
the variation is of no effect for the purposes of this Act unless it is approved by the Minister.
(2) Before approving a variation, the Minister must obtain and consider advice from the Scientific Committee on the content of the variation.
(3) The Minister must not approve a variation unless satisfied that:
(a) an appropriate level of consultation was undertaken in varying the plan; and
(b) the plan, as so varied, continues to meet the requirements of section 270 or 271, as the case requires.
(4) If the Minister approves a variation of a plan, the plan has effect as so varied on and after the date of the approval, or such later date as the Minister determines in writing.
(5) Section 278 applies to the variation of a plan in the same way that it applies to the making of a recovery plan or threat abatement plan.
281 Commonwealth assistance
(1) The Commonwealth may give to a State or self‑governing Territory, or to an agency of a State or a self‑governing Territory, financial assistance, and any other assistance, to make or implement a recovery plan or a threat abatement plan.
(2) The Commonwealth may give to a person (other than a State or a self‑governing Territory, or an agency of a State or Territory) financial assistance, and any other assistance, to implement a recovery plan or a threat abatement plan.
(3) The giving of assistance may be made subject to such conditions as the Minister thinks fit. The Minister is to have regard to the advice of the Scientific Committee under section 282 before determining those conditions.
282 Scientific Committee to advise on assistance
(1) The Scientific Committee is to advise the Minister on the conditions (if any) to which the giving of assistance under section 281 should be subject.
(2) In giving advice about assistance for making or implementing a recovery plan, the Scientific Committee must take into account the following matters:
(a) the degree of threat to the survival in nature of the species or ecological community in question;
(b) the potential for the species or community to recover;
(c) the genetic distinctiveness of the species or community;
(d) the importance of the species or community to the ecosystem;
(e) the value to humanity of the species or community;
(f) the efficient and effective use of the resources allocated to the conservation of species and ecological communities.
(3) In giving advice about assistance for making or implementing a threat abatement plan, the Scientific Committee must take into account the following matters:
(a) the degree of threat that the key threatening process in question poses to the survival in nature of species and ecological communities;
(b) the potential of species and ecological communities so threatened to recover;
(c) the efficient and effective use of the resources allocated to the conservation of species and ecological communities.
283 Plans may cover more than one species etc.
(1) A recovery plan made or adopted under this Subdivision may deal with one or more listed threatened species and/or one or more listed ecological communities.
(2) A threat abatement plan made or adopted under this Subdivision may deal with one or more key threatening processes.
283A Revoking a plan
(1) The Minister may, by legislative instrument:
(a) revoke a recovery plan for a listed threatened species or a listed threatened ecological community if the Minister decides under section 269AA not to have a recovery plan for the species or community; or
(b) revoke a threat abatement plan for a key threatening process if the Minister decides under section 270A not to have a threat abatement plan for the process.
(2) The Minister must publish in accordance with the regulations (if any):
(a) the instrument revoking the plan; and
(b) the Minister’s reasons for revoking the plan.
284 Reports on preparation and implementation of plans
The Secretary must include in each annual report a report on the making and adoption under this Subdivision of each recovery plan and threat abatement plan during the year to which the report relates.
Subdivision B—Wildlife conservation plans
285 Wildlife conservation plans
(1) Subject to this section, the Minister may make, by instrument in writing, and implement a wildlife conservation plan for the purposes of the protection, conservation and management of the following:
(a) a listed migratory species that occurs in Australia or an external Territory;
(b) a listed marine species that occurs in Australia or an external Territory;
(c) a species of cetacean that occurs in the Australian Whale Sanctuary;
(d) a conservation dependent species.
(2) The Minister must not make a wildlife conservation plan for a species that is a listed threatened species (except a conservation dependent species).
(3) Subject to section 292, the Minister may, by instrument in writing, adopt a plan that has been made by a State or a self‑governing Territory, or by an agency of a State or self‑governing Territory, as a wildlife conservation plan. The Minister may adopt a plan with such modifications as are specified in the instrument.
(4) A plan, as modified and adopted under subsection (2), has effect as if the plan had been made by the Minister under subsection (1).
(5) The Minister must seek the co‑operation of the States and self‑governing Territories in which:
(a) a listed migratory species occurs; or
(b) a listed marine species occurs; or
(c) a species of cetacean occurs; or
(d) a conservation dependent species occurs;
with a view to making and implementing jointly with those States and Territories, or agencies of those States or Territories, a joint wildlife conservation plan unless the species occurs only in a Commonwealth area.
(6) Before making a wildlife conservation plan under subsection (1) or (5), the Minister must:
(a) consider the advice of the Scientific Committee given under section 289; and
(b) consult about the plan in accordance with sections 290 and 291.
(7) A wildlife conservation plan comes into force on the day on which it is made or adopted, or on such later day as the Minister specifies in writing.
286 Acting in accordance with wildlife conservation plans
A Commonwealth agency must take all reasonable steps to act in accordance with a wildlife conservation plan.
287 Content of wildlife conservation plans
(1) A wildlife conservation plan must provide for the research and management actions necessary to support survival of the migratory species, marine species, species of cetacean or conservation dependent species concerned.
(2) In particular, a wildlife conservation plan must:
(a) state the objectives to be achieved; and
(b) state criteria against which achievement of the objectives is to be measured; and
(c) specify the actions needed to achieve the objectives; and
(d) identify the habitats of the species concerned and the actions needed to protect those habitats; and
(e) identify:
(i) interests that will be affected by the plan’s implementation; and
(ii) organisations or persons who will be involved in evaluating the performance of the plan; and
(f) specify any major benefits to migratory species, marine species, species of cetacean or conservation dependent species (other than those to which the plan relates) that will be affected by the plan’s implementation; and
(g) meet prescribed criteria (if any) and contain provisions of a prescribed kind (if any).
(3) In making a wildlife conservation plan, regard must be had to:
(a) the objects of this Act; and
(b) the most efficient and effective use of the resources that are allocated for the conservation of migratory species, marine species, species of cetacean and conservation dependent species; and
(c) minimising any significant adverse social and economic impacts, consistently with the principles of ecologically sustainable development; and
(d) meeting Australia’s obligations under international agreements between Australia and one or more countries relevant to the migratory species, marine species, species of cetacean or conservation dependent species to which the plan relates; and
(e) the role and interests of indigenous people in the conservation of Australia’s biodiversity.
288 Eradication of non‑native species
If:
(a) the actions specified under section 287 in a wildlife conservation plan include the eradication of a non‑native species; and
(b) the species is threatened in a country in which its native habitat occurs;
the wildlife conservation plan must require the Commonwealth to offer to provide stock of the species to that country before the eradication proceeds.
289 Scientific Committee to advise on scheduling of plans
(1) The Minister may seek advice from the Scientific Committee on the need for wildlife conservation plans and the order in which they should be made.
(1A) The Scientific Committee may advise the Minister on its own initiative to make a wildlife conservation plan for a specified species described in subsection 285(1).
(2) In giving advice under subsection (1) or (1A), the Scientific Committee must take into account the resources available for making plans.
(3) Before making a plan, the Minister must obtain and consider advice from the Scientific Committee on the content of the plan.
290 Consultation on plans
(1) Before making a wildlife conservation plan under subsection 285(1) or (5), the Minister must:
(a) take reasonable steps to ensure that copies of the proposed plan are available for purchase, for a reasonable price, at prescribed places in each State and self‑governing Territory; and
(b) give a copy of it, together with a notice of a kind referred to in subsection (2), to the Scientific Committee; and
(c) cause the notice to be published:
(i) in the Gazette; and
(ii) in a daily newspaper that circulates generally in each State, and self‑governing Territory; and
(iii) in any other way required by the regulations (if any).
(2) The notice must:
(a) specify the places where copies of the proposed plan may be purchased; and
(b) invite persons to make written comments about the proposed plan; and
(c) specify:
(i) an address for lodgment of comments; and
(ii) a day by which comments must be made.
(3) The day specified must not be a day occurring within 3 months after the notice is published in the Gazette.
291 Consideration of comments
The Minister:
(a) must, in accordance with the regulations (if any), consider all comments on a proposed wildlife conservation plan made in response to an invitation under section 290; and
(b) may revise the plan to take account of those comments.
292 Adoption of State plans
(1) The Minister must not adopt a plan as a wildlife conservation plan under subsection 285(3) unless:
(a) the Minister is satisfied that an appropriate level of consultation has been undertaken in making the plan; and
(b) the plan meets the requirements of section 287.
(2) Before adopting a plan, the Minister must obtain and consider advice from the Scientific Committee on the content of the plan.
293 Publication, review and variation of plans
(1) As soon as practicable after the Minister makes or adopts a wildlife conservation plan under section 285, the Minister must:
(a) make copies of the plan available for purchase, for a reasonable price, at a prescribed place in each State and self‑governing Territory; and
(b) give notice of the making or adoption of each such plan; and
(c) publish the notice:
(i) in the Gazette; and
(ii) in a daily newspaper that circulates generally in each State, and self‑governing Territory; and
(iii) in any other way required by the regulations (if any).
(2) The notice must:
(a) state that the Minister has made or adopted the plan; and
(b) specify the day on which the plan comes into force; and
(c) specify the places where copies of the plan may be purchased.
294 Variation of plans by the Minister
(1) The Minister may, at any time, review a wildlife conservation plan that has been made or adopted under section 285 and consider whether a variation of it is necessary.
(2) Each plan must be reviewed by the Minister at intervals of not longer than 5 years.
(3) If the Minister considers that a variation of a plan is necessary, the Minister may, subject to subsections (4), (5), (6) and (7) vary the plan.
(4) The Minister must not vary a plan, unless the plan, as so varied, continues to meet the requirements of section 287.
(5) Before varying a plan, the Minister must obtain and consider advice from the Scientific Committee on the content of the variation.
(6) If the Minister has made a plan jointly with, or adopted a plan that has been made by, a State or self‑governing Territory, or an agency of a State or self‑governing Territory, the Minister must seek the co‑operation of that State or Territory, or that agency, with a view to varying the plan.
(7) Sections 290, 291 and 293 apply to the variation of a plan in the same way that those sections apply to the making of a wildlife conservation plan.
295 Variation by a State or Territory of joint plans and plans adopted by the Minister
(1) If a State or self‑governing Territory varies a plan that:
(a) the Minister has made jointly with the State or self‑governing Territory, or an agency of the State or Territory; or
(b) has been adopted by the Minister as a wildlife conservation plan;
the variation is of no effect for the purposes of this Act unless it is approved by the Minister.
(2) Before approving a variation, the Minister must obtain and consider advice from the Scientific Committee on the content of the variation.
(3) The Minister must not approve a variation under subsection (1) unless satisfied:
(a) an appropriate level of consultation was undertaken in varying the plan; and
(b) the plan, as so varied, continues to meet the requirements of section 287.
(4) If the Minister approves a variation of a plan, the plan has effect as so varied on and after the date of the approval, or such later date as the Minister determines in writing.
(5) Section 293 applies to the variation of a plan in the same way that it applies to the making of a wildlife conservation plan.
296 Commonwealth assistance
(1) The Commonwealth may give to a State or self‑governing Territory, or to an agency of a State or a self‑governing Territory, financial assistance, and any other assistance, to make a wildlife conservation plan.
(2) The Commonwealth may give to a person (other than a State or a self‑governing Territory, or an agency of a State or Territory) financial assistance, and any other assistance, to implement a wildlife conservation plan.
(3) The giving of assistance may be made subject to such conditions as the Minister thinks fit.
297 Plans may cover more than one species etc.
A wildlife conservation plan made or adopted under this Subdivision may deal with all or any of the following:
(a) one or more listed migratory species;
(b) one or more listed marine species;
(c) one or more species of cetacean;
(d) one or more conservation dependent species.
298 Reports on preparation and implementation of plans
The Secretary must include in each annual report a report on the making and adoption under section 285 of each wildlife conservation plan during the year to which the report relates.
Subdivision C—Miscellaneous
299 Wildlife conservation plans cease to have effect
If:
(a) a wildlife conservation plan is in force for all or any of the following:
(i) a listed migratory species;
(ii) a listed marine species;
(iii) a species of cetacean; and
(b) the species becomes a listed threatened species (except a conservation dependent species);
the wildlife conservation plan ceases to have effect in relation to the species on and from the day on which the species becomes a listed threatened species as mentioned in paragraph (b).
300 Document may contain more than one plan
(1) All or any of the plans made under this Division may be included in the same document.
(2) All or any of the plans adopted under this Division may be included in the same instrument of adoption.
300A State and Territory laws not affected
Sections 269A, 270A, 270B, 273 and 285 do not exclude or limit the concurrent operation of a law of a State or self‑governing Territory.
300B Assistance from the Scientific Committee
(1) The Minister may, at any time, ask the Scientific Committee to provide the Minister with a statement, information or advice for the purpose of assisting the Minister in the performance or exercise of the Minister’s functions or powers under section 266B, 269AA or 270A.
(2) The Scientific Committee may, at any time, provide the Minister with a statement, information or advice for the purpose of assisting the Minister in the performance or exercise of the Minister’s functions or powers under section 266B, 269AA or 270A (whether or not the Committee is acting in response to a request under subsection (1) of this section).
Division 6—Access to biological resources
301 Control of access to biological resources
(1) The regulations may provide for the control of access to biological resources in Commonwealth areas.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the regulations may contain provisions about all or any of the following:
(a) the equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of biological resources in Commonwealth areas;
(b) the facilitation of access to such resources;
(c) the right to deny access to such resources;
(d) the granting of access to such resources and the terms and conditions of such access.
Division 6A—Control of non‑native species
301A Regulations for control of non‑native species
The regulations may:
(a) provide for the establishment and maintenance of a list of species, other than native species, whose members:
(i) do or may threaten biodiversity in the Australian jurisdiction; or
(ii) would be likely to threaten biodiversity in the Australian jurisdiction if they were brought into the Australian jurisdiction; and
(b) regulate or prohibit the bringing into the Australian jurisdiction of members of a species included in the list mentioned in paragraph (a); and
(c) regulate or prohibit trade in members of a species included in the list mentioned in paragraph (a):
(i) between Australia and another country; or
(ii) between 2 States; or
(iii) between 2 Territories; or
(iv) between a State and a Territory; or
(v) by a constitutional corporation; and
(d) regulate and prohibit actions:
(i) involving or affecting members of a species included in the list mentioned in paragraph (a); and
(ii) whose regulation or prohibition is appropriate and adapted to give effect to Australia’s obligations under an agreement with one or more other countries; and
(e) provide for the making and implementation of plans to reduce, eliminate or prevent the impacts of members of species included in the list mentioned in paragraph (a) on biodiversity in the Australian jurisdiction.
Division 7—Aid for conservation of species in foreign countries
302 Aid for conservation of species in foreign countries
On behalf of the Commonwealth, the Minister may give financial assistance to the governments of foreign countries and organisations in foreign countries to help the recovery and conservation, in those countries, of species covered by international agreements to which Australia is a party.
Division 8—Miscellaneous
303 Regulations
(1) The regulations may make provision for the conservation of biodiversity in Commonwealth areas.
(2) In particular, the regulations may prohibit or regulate actions affecting a member of a native species in a Commonwealth area. This does not limit subsection (1).
303A Exemptions from this Part
(1) A person proposing to take an action that would contravene a provision of this Part apart from this section may apply in writing to the Minister for an exemption from the provision.
(2) The Minister must decide within 20 business days of receiving the application whether or not to grant the exemption.
(3) The Minister may, by written notice, exempt a specified person from the application of a specified provision of this Part in relation to a specified action.
(4) The Minister may do so only if he or she is satisfied that it is in the national interest that the provision not apply in relation to the person or the action.
(5) In determining the national interest, the Minister may consider Australia’s defence or security or a national emergency. This does not limit the matters the Minister may consider.
(6) A provision specified in the notice does not apply in relation to the specified person or action on or after the day specified in the notice. The Minister must not specify a day earlier than the day the notice is made.
(7) Within 10 business days after making the notice, the Minister must:
(a) publish a copy of the notice and his or her reasons for granting the exemption in accordance with the regulations; and
(b) give a copy of the notice to the person specified in the notice.
303AA Conditions relating to accreditation of plans, regimes and policies
(1) This section applies to an accreditation of a plan, regime or policy under section 208A, 222A, 245 or 265.
(2) The Minister may accredit a plan, regime or policy under that section even though he or she considers that the plan, regime or policy should be accredited only:
(a) during a particular period; or
(b) while certain circumstances exist; or
(c) while a certain condition is complied with.
In such a case, the instrument of accreditation is to specify the period, circumstances or condition.
(3) If an accreditation specifies a particular period as mentioned in subsection (2), the accreditation ceases to be in force at the end of that period.
(4) If an accreditation specifies circumstances as mentioned in subsection (2), the Minister must, in writing, revoke the accreditation if he or she is satisfied that those circumstances have ceased to exist.
(5) The Minister may, in writing, vary an accreditation by:
(a) specifying one or more conditions (or further conditions) to which the accreditation is subject; or
(b) revoking or varying a condition:
(i) specified in the instrument of accreditation; or
(ii) specified under paragraph (a).
(6) A condition may relate to reporting or monitoring.
(7) The Minister must, in writing, revoke an accreditation if he or she is satisfied that a condition of the accreditation has been contravened.
303AB Amended policies, regimes or plans taken to be accredited
(1) If:
(a) a plan, regime or policy is accredited under section 208A, 222A, 245 or 265; and
(b) the plan, regime or policy is amended, or is proposed to be amended; and
(c) the Minister is satisfied that the amendments are, or will be, minor; and
(d) the Minister is satisfied that the plan, regime or policy as amended meets, or will meet, the requirements of subsection 208A(1), 222A(1), 245(1) or 265(1) (as the case may be);
the Minister may, by instrument in writing, determine that this subsection applies to the amendments.
(2) If the Minister makes a determination under subsection (1), the plan, regime or policy as amended is, for the purposes of this Act, taken to be accredited under subsection 208A(1), 222A(2), 245(1) or 265(1) (as the case may be).
(3) A determination under subsection (1) of this section is not a legislative instrument.
Part 13A—International movement of wildlife specimens
Division 1—Introduction
303BA Objects of Part
(1) The objects of this Part are as follows:
(a) to ensure that Australia complies with its obligations under CITES and the Biodiversity Convention;
(b) to protect wildlife that may be adversely affected by trade;
(c) to promote the conservation of biodiversity in Australia and other countries;
(d) to ensure that any commercial utilisation of Australian native wildlife for the purposes of export is managed in an ecologically sustainable way;
(e) to promote the humane treatment of wildlife;
(f) to ensure ethical conduct during any research associated with the utilisation of wildlife;
(h) to ensure that the precautionary principle is taken into account in making decisions relating to the utilisation of wildlife.
Note: CITES means the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species—see section 528.
(2) In order to achieve its objects, this Part includes special provisions to conserve the biodiversity of Australian native wildlife.
303BAA Certain indigenous rights not affected
To avoid doubt, nothing in this Part prevents an indigenous person from continuing in accordance with law the traditional use of an area for:
(a) hunting (except for the purposes of sale); or
(b) food gathering (except for the purposes of sale); or
(c) ceremonial or religious purposes.
303BB Simplified outline
The following is a simplified outline of this Part:
• This Part sets up a system for regulating the international movement of wildlife specimens.
• A CITES specimen is a specimen of a species included in Appendix I, II or III to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
• It is an offence to export or import a CITES specimen unless:
(a) the exporter or importer holds a permit; or
(b) an exemption applies.
• A regulated native specimen is a specimen of a native species subject to export control under this Part.
• It is an offence to export a regulated native specimen unless:
(a) the exporter holds a permit; or
(b) an exemption applies.
• A regulated live specimen is a live specimen of a species subject to import control under this Part.
• It is an offence to import a regulated live specimen unless the importer holds a permit.
• It is an offence to possess a specimen that was imported in contravention of this Part.
303BC Definitions
In this Part, unless the contrary intention appears:
eligible listed threatened species means a listed threatened species other than a species in the conservation dependent category.
engage in conduct means:
(a) do an act; or
(b) omit to perform an act.
export means:
(a) export from Australia or from an external Territory; or
(b) export from the sea;
but does not include:
(c) export from Australia to an external Territory; or
(d) export from an external Territory to Australia; or
(e) export from an external Territory to another external Territory.
export from the sea, in relation to a specimen, means take in a Commonwealth marine area and then take out of that area to another country without bringing into Australia or into an external Territory.
import means:
(a) import into Australia or into an external Territory; or
(b) import by way of introduction from the sea;
but does not include:
(c) import into Australia from an external Territory; or
(d) import into an external Territory from Australia; or
(e) import into an external Territory from another external Territory.
import by way of introduction from the sea, in relation to a specimen, means take in the marine environment not under the jurisdiction of any country and then bring into Australia or into an external Territory without having been imported into any other country.
marine environment means the sea, and includes:
(a) the air space above the sea; and
(b) the seabed and subsoil beneath the sea.
recipient means:
(a) in relation to a specimen that is exported—the person in the country to which the specimen is exported who is to have the care and custody of the specimen after the export; and
(b) in relation to a specimen that is imported into Australia or into an external Territory—the person in Australia or that Territory, as the case may be, who is to have the care and custody of the specimen after the import.
relevant CITES authority, in relation to a country, means:
(a) if the country is a party to CITES—a Management Authority of that country; or
(b) if the country is not a party to CITES—a competent authority of that country within the meaning of Article X of CITES.
sender, in relation to a specimen that is imported into Australia or an external Territory, means the person in the country from which the specimen is imported who exports it from that country to Australia or to that Territory, as the case may be.
take includes:
(a) in relation to an animal—harvest, catch, capture, trap and kill; and
(b) in relation to a plant specimen—harvest, pick, gather and cut.
trade means trade within the ordinary meaning of that expression.
Note: See also section 528.
Division 2—CITES species
Subdivision A—CITES species and CITES specimens
303CA Listing of CITES species
(1) The Minister must, by instrument published in the Gazette, establish a list of CITES species for the purposes of this Act.
(2) The Minister must ensure that the list is established on the commencement of this section.
Note: See section 4 of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.
(3) The list must include all species from time to time included in any of Appendices I, II and III to CITES. The list must not include any other species.
(4) For each species included in the list, there is to be a notation:
(a) describing the specimens belonging to that species that are included in a particular Appendix to CITES; and
(b) identifying the Appendix in which the species is included; and
(c) identifying the date on which the provisions of CITES first applied to the specimens.
(5) A description mentioned in paragraph (4)(a):
(a) may cover all specimens that belong to the species; or
(b) may cover specified kinds of specimens that belong to the species; or
(c) may state that the inclusion of a specimen in a particular Appendix to CITES is subj