澳大利亚《2011海事立法修正案》于2011年12月4日生效，通过该项新法案，澳大利亚政府将加强针对船舶污染及破坏海洋环境的处罚力度。该法案修正了澳大利亚《1912年航海法》及《1983年海洋保护法（防止船舶污染）》。
一直以来，船东及船长面临由于在澳大利亚水域排放油污或油污排放危险而产生的刑事责任，通过本次的修正，该刑事责任延伸至租家。澳大利亚将通过罚金方式对租家、船东及船长的犯罪责任分别进行惩罚。
详细信息请参阅附件。
Australian pollution law – Oil pollution indemnity clause for penalties and fines
The Australian Government introduced increased penalties for pollution from ships and damage to the marine environment by way of new legislation – the Maritime Legislation Amendment Act, 2011 – that came into effect on 4 December 2011. The Act amends the Australian Navigation Act 1912 and the Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act,1983.
As a result of these recent amendments, longstanding criminal liability imposed on owners and masters for oil discharge or threat of discharge in Australian waters has been extended to charterers. Charterers, owners and masters are now severally liable with offences punishable by fines.
See attached file: 5458.pdf
