High Seas Biodiversity Bill 2026; Second Reading

Summary

Australia is adopting new laws to protect ocean life in international waters—the areas beyond any country's control that make up over 60% of the world's ocean. The new legislation creates a regulatory framework implementing Australia's commitments under the BBNJ Agreement, a United Nations treaty that lets countries work together on marine conservation, genetic resource sharing, and environmental assessments in these shared ocean zones. It establishes rules for Australian companies and researchers operating in international waters, creates protections for marine protected areas, requires environmental impact assessments before certain activities proceed, and adopts enforcement powers under the Regulatory Powers (Standard Provisions) Act 2014. This matters because Australia's fishing, shipping, and tourism industries depend on healthy oceans, and most of the ocean sits beyond Australia's borders—so participating in global ocean management protects both Australian interests and the marine ecosystems that support our economy and environment.

What happens at this stage

The main debate on whether the chamber supports the broad purpose of the bill. Members speak to its overall merits and concerns rather than the fine print. The government outlines its policy intentions; the opposition and crossbench put their case. This is the stage that determines whether the bill proceeds at all.

Next: Consideration in Detail (House) or Committee of the Whole (Senate), where the bill is examined clause by clause