University of Tasmania, Australia

Comparative Environmental Law & Policy: Natural Resources and Oceans Management

Australia is home to some of the world’s most biologically diverse marine environments, which are crucial to its economy. However, increasing concern has been expressed over the adequacy of Australia’s legal framework for national marine resources governance. Owing to the federal structure of Australia’s political system, a fragmented approach has been adopted, assigning some responsibilities to the states/territories while others are assigned to the federal government.

This PhD project will explore the need for and desirability of a national Oceans Act for Australia, and the implications of a national Act on the state and territory marine resource management regimes. The study’s design including consideration of economic, environmental science, and legal policy issues has the potential to produce significant national findings. The study will include comparative consideration of relevant national regimes in other jurisdictions, including the US and Canada. A First Class Honours degree in Law is a prerequisite for the potential candidate.