Change at last on shippers' liability

Six years ago the cyclone-damaged Pacific Adventurer caused a major oil spill along about 60 kilometres of southern Queensland coast.

The clean-up costs were about $34 million.

But under international maritime protocols, the liability of the owners of the Hong Kong-registered bulk carrier was limited to $17.5 million.

On Thursday, following long negotiations with the International Maritime Organisation, a bill substantially raising liability limits - the exact amounts depending on the size of the ship - passed parliament's lower house.

Labor's Anthony Albanese, who was transport minister at the time, said the change was a direct result of the spill.

The government had the balance right, raising the liability, but not so high it would seriously affect shipowners' insurance, he said.