High Seas Biodiversity Bill 2026; Second Reading

Summary

Australia is implementing an international ocean protection agreement called the BBNJ Agreement by creating new Australian laws to regulate activities in the world's oceans beyond any country's borders. The legislation creates a modern regulatory framework (using the standard provisions from the Regulatory Powers (Standard Provisions) Act 2014) that will require Australian companies and individuals to conduct environmental impact assessments before operating in international waters, comply with rules protecting marine genetic resources, and respect new marine protected areas established by international agreement. This matters because over 60 per cent of the ocean lies beyond national boundaries where no single country has responsibility, so Australia needs domestic laws to enforce its international commitments and help protect fish stocks, whales and other marine life that migrate across borders—benefiting Australia's fishing, tourism and shipping industries while safeguarding ocean health globally.

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