In 2004, the Australian Government decided to review the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975. The review was subsequently undertaken by the then Minister for the Environment and Heritage and his department in 2006.

This review considered the functions of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, the role of its office holders, accountability frameworks and consultation mechanisms. The review also considered the interaction between the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

 In October 2006, the Australian Government released the Review of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 - Review Panel Report.  A copy of the review report and further background on the review and its implementation are available online.

A recommendation of the review was to amend the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975.

The first package of these legislative reforms were passed by the Government in June 2007 and commenced on 1 July 2007. They implemented amendments to the GBRMP Act related to governance, accountability and transparency in the management of the Great Barrier Reef and provided for:

• A five-yearly, peer-reviewed 'Outlook Report' to be tabled in Parliament and published, documenting the overall condition of the Marine Park, effectiveness of management, and risks and pressures on the ecosystem
• An enhanced process and requirements for engaging stakeholders in the development of zoning plans for the Marine Park
• Zoning plans to be 'locked down' for a minimum of seven years from the date they come into force to provide stability for business, communities and biological systems
• The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (the Authority) to be subject to the financial management framework of the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 instead of the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997
• The Great Barrier Reef Consultative Committee to cease operation

The second package of legislative reforms were implemented by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and other Legislation Amendment Bill 2008 which was introduced into the House of Representatives on 18 June 2008 and into the Senate on 27 August 2008.   The Bill was passed by the Parliament on 12 November 2008 and received Royal assent on 25 November 2008. The reforms take effect in two stages.  Schedules 1-3 commence on 25 November 2008.  Schedules 4-6 commence 12 months later on 25 November 2009 unless proclaimed earlier. The suite of amendments established a regulatory framework and capability to deliver the long-term protection and ecologically sustainable use of the Great Barrier Reef and included:

• A more up to date focus
• Better integration and consistency with related legislation
• Robust, streamlined assessments and approvals
• Improved investigation capacity
• A stronger and more flexible approach to enforcement
• Enhanced compliance and responsible use
• Improved emergency management capacity
• Indigenous membership and tourism industry (with specific Marine Park knowledge and experience) membership of the Authority

More information on the legislative reforms can be accessed on http://www.environment.gov.au/coasts/gbrmpa-review/index.html

A copy of the latest version of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 that includes the first and second packages of legislative reforms is available on line.