Antarctic loophole being closed

Australia is closing a legal loophole that will help protect the Antarctic from oil pollution.

The move is part of a bill introduced to parliament by assistant Infrastructure Minister Jamie Briggs on Wednesday.

He said the change was being made after a fishing boat with heavy grade oil in its ballast tanks sank in Antarctic waters.

Ballast tanks, which help give ships stability, usually hold water. In this case the oil was to be used once the ship had left the Antarctic.

Mr Briggs said no action was taken because the regulation against heavy grade oil was interpreted to exclude it being carried as ballast.

The interpretation was inconsistent with the intent to minimise the presence of the oil in the Antarctic.

The new measure would close the loophole and ensure Australia met its international obligations, Mr Briggs said.