EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
STATUTORY RULE NO. 221 OF 1983
Issued by the Authority of the Minister of State for Transport
Protection of the Sea (Civil Liability) Act 1981
Protection of the Sea (Civil Liability)
(Registration of Foreign Judgments) Regulations
The Protection of the Sea (Civil Liability) Act 1981 and regulations will, following proclamation, provide the legislative basis for the administration of Australia’s obligations under the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969 and its 1976 Protocol.
The regulations make detailed provision concerning registration and enforcement of foreign judgments. This matter is expressly required by the Convention and will ensure that judgments obtained in any country which is a party to the Convention can be enforced in any other Convention country.
Instruments accepting the Convention and Protocol referred to above are expected to be lodged with the International Maritime Organisation in London in November 1983. A waiting period of 90 days from that date must elapse before the Convention and Protocol will come into force for Australia. The Protection of the Sea (Civil Liability) Act 1981 and the regulations will be proclaimed to come into force on the 90th day following Australian acceptance of the Convention and Protocol.