SYDNEY, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has flagged a review of maritime laws following the grounding of a coal carrier inside the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park off Rockhampton.
Rudd flew over the stricken ship on Tuesday and later said the ship remained a serious threat to the environment, having already leaked some oil, and multi-million-dollar fines could be imposed if laws had been broken.
"The penalties which exist under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority go to a fine of some 5.5 million Australian dollars (5 million U.S. dollars) under the current circumstances," Rudd said.
"They go to the payment of the costs of any restitution which arises from any damage to the reef."
He said if the ship's captain was found guilty of negligence, he could be jailed for up to three years.
"That's what exists under the current act," Rudd said.
"And the government will be entirely mindful of any advice in terms of further measures which may be necessary and any further strengthening of the act necessary."
The prime minister noted there were key priorities in the wake of the grounding, including "looking at the laws for the future."
Rudd said a thorough investigation was underway involving federal authorities.
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