Adjourned debate on second reading.

 
The Hon. SANDRA KANCK: The Democrats support the broad thrust of this legislation. We have been what might appear to be tardy in responding to the Bill, but that was because we referred the matter to the Conservation Council. It was in turn referred to another person, a member of the Conservation Council with expertise in these areas, and it has taken a while to complete that circuit. As a consequence of that consultation, we have a suggestion for one amendment that we think will improve the Bill. I am aware that the Bill is before us as a consequence of Australia's being a signatory to the MARPOL Treaty, and I am also aware that Parliament is often loath to entertain any amendments to legislation of this nature, but it is my understanding that, under the obligations we have with international treaties, although there is a minimum level from which we should not derogate there is nothing to prevent us from improving the legislation. I am reasonably confident that the Government and Opposition will be supporting the amendment that I intend to move.
 The Democrats welcome the fines that are included for discharging or dumping in our waters. I would be interested if the Minister could advise me what has been done in the past to police these laws and whether, as a result of these amendments, there will be any variation in the methods used by State authorities to police these new laws. It is all very well to have fines but, unless the offences are policed, the fines are useless. The issue that I will be moving to amend relates to the interpretation of plastics. Part 3AAB(5) of the Act describes plastics as including synthetic ropes, synthetic fishing nets and plastic garbage bags, and we hope to add one other to that list, that is, plastic straps. I have already shown an example of one of these plastic straps to the Minister and the shadow Minister.
 What has prompted me to move this is that a recent case study of Australian fur seals, published in the State of the Marine Environment Report for Australia, shows that discarded plastic straps can tangle into a deadly necklace for seals. The straps are ending up around seals' necks after being cut from bait boxes used in commercial fishing. I understand that the whole kit and caboodle is just dropped over the side, and the straps are cut as the bait box is dropped. Of course, they end up in the marine environment. There are very high rates of entanglement of fur seals as a consequence, to an extent that is actually a threat to the seal population. That study found that 21 per cent of entangled seals are caught in neck collars made of discarded strapping.
 We are aware that this is being worked on at the moment by SAFCOL and the Department of Parks, Wildlife and Heritage in Tasmania, which are developing a strapless bait box, but I am not sure how developed that is and how wide its distribution. It is important that we deal with this issue of plastic straps right now and not wait to see the developments as far as the strapless bait box is concerned. Including plastic straps in the definition of `plastics' would highlight the relationship between tossing these things overboard and the unnecessary death of seals and other marine life. I believe that it would have the benefit of educating the officials charged with enforcing the legislation and, through them, professional and recreational fishermen. With that suggestion, the Democrats support the second reading.
 
 The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS secured the adjournment of the debate.

 
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