EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
STATUTORY RULES 1983 NO. 232
GREAT BARRIER REEF MARINE PARK (PROHBITION OF DRILLING FOR PETROLEUM) REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT)
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(Issued under the authority of the Minister of State for Home Affairs and Environment)
With the recent declaration of the final 2 Sections of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park approximately 99% of the Great Barrier Reef Region is now declared as Marine Park. Oil drilling is prohibited in the Marine Park by section 38 of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975.
The purpose of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Prohibition of Drilling for Petroleum) Regulations (Amendment) is to ensure that oil drilling continues to be prohibited in all areas of the Great Barrier Reef Region which do not form part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.