1.3 TERMS OF REFERENCE

On 25 June 1996 the Governor in Council, under section 4F of the Parliamentary Committees Act 1968, referred the following matter to the Environment and Natural Resources Committee:

Recognising the growing concern about the impact of exotic marine species on local ecosystems and the importance of shipping trade to Victoria and having regard to efforts at the national and international levels to address this issue, to inquire into, report and make recommendations on:

(a) Ballast water in Victoria, including the sources, movement and management of ballast water.

(b) The recorded and potential environmental impacts of Victorian Ballast water practices on coastal waters, including linkages with:

the nature and distribution of exotic organisms;

impacts on fishing, aquaculture, recreation and other uses of the marine environment; and

information gaps and research needs resulting from the above.

(c) Adequacy of Victorian and Commonwealth legislation to minimise the environmental impact of ballast water management.

(d) The efficiency and effectiveness of State based measures to minimise environmental impact of ballast waters without adversely impacting on Victoria's international competitiveness.

(e) How Victoria can most effectively influence international and national efforts to address ballast water issues and means by which this State can most effectively work with other governments on these issues.

(f) The means by which different interests, including private or public Victorian ports, shipping companies and bodies with responsibility for coastal management, quarantine, fisheries and the environment, can co-operate effectively to develop an integrated approach to economically and environmentally sustainable management of ballast water.

The Terms of Reference were published in the Victoria Government Gazette, on 27 June 1996 (p 1631). Notification of an amendment to the reporting date of the Inquiry was published in the Victoria Government Gazette on 6 March 1997 (p 542-543). The Minister responsible is the Hon Marie Tehan, MLA, Minister for Conservation and Land Management.