Australia widens maritime security zone
12/15/2004, 10:11 p.m. ET
By MERAIAH FOLEY
The Associated Press
SYDNEY, Australia (AP) — Australia plans to enforce a maritime security zone more than 1,100 miles out to sea, far beyond its territorial waters, to boost defenses against possible terror attacks on its soil and offshore oil and gas facilities, the prime minister said Wednesday.
Under the new plan — due to begin in March — all vessels that enter within 1,150 miles of Australia's shores will be required to present information to defense and customs authorities about the ship's identity, crew, location, speed and intended port of arrival, Prime Minister John Howard said.
"It's just a way of making doubly sure that you know who wants to come to this country and what their business is," Howard told radio station 6PR in the Western Australia state capital, Perth.
The plan angered one of Australia's closest allies and neighbors, New Zealand, as the security zone would stretch into its waters.
New Zealand's Acting Transport Minister Harry Duynhoven said Thursday there had been no consultation or official approach from Australian authorities.
"I think there's been a massive slip-up in communication," Duynhoven said, adding that he was seeking clarification from Australian officials on whether they intend to intercept ships within New Zealand waters.
Australia's territorial waters extend about 230 miles off shore.
"The protection of Australia's oil and gas facilities is a key focus of the Australian government's priorities to enhance offshore maritime security," Howard said in a statement.
Legal experts warned that Australia could be breaking international law if it tried to take further action against ships in the new security zone.
Sydney Center for International and Global Law director Don Rothwell said the government was free to monitor ships beyond the 230 mile limit but could be violating the law if it attempted to intercept ships in international waters.
"With the exception of pirate ships and ships that are not flying flags and one or two very minor exceptions, there is no real basis upon which any country can just stop any ship at all on the high seas," Rothwell told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio.
Australia's opposition Labor Party said the scheme relied too heavily on trusting the ships' crews to tell the truth and not enough on physical inspections.
Labor recommended the government follow the United States' lead by introducing sea marshals empowered to board ships.
Australia's new plans build on higher international maritime security standards introduced in July at the insistence of the United States.
Howard also sought to clarify state and federal government roles in protecting coastal waters, saying defense forces and customs agencies will be responsible for patrolling the new zone.
State and local governments would continue to be responsible for security within ports, but the federal government would assume control over the security of Australia's coastal waters, including offshore oil and gas reserves, Howard said.