The last decade has seen increasing attention to institutional arrangements and policy outcomes affecting the governance of the world’s seas and oceans. Governance is linked to institutional capacity and to the effectiveness of public organizations drawing attention to tools and approaches underpinning effective and efficient institutional arrangements. Australia has taken a high profile in oceans governance, with international actions matched by the development of a number of national initiatives including a national Oceans Policy. Australia has numerous laws and policy instruments addressing aspects of the management of themarine environment, reflecting the federal nature of this policy area where responsibility is shared between the Commonwealth (federal or Australian) government and Australian state and territory governments. The Oceans Policy, implemented by the Commonwealth and applied within Commonwealth jurisdiction, has been a major initiative but its implementation highlights a number of challenges. This article outlines Australia’s approach to ocean governance and assesses, through reference to the concept of effectiveness, current governance arrangements integral to the Oceans Policy.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	Australia, federal–state relations, governance, ocean governance, ocean policy
Research Division:	Studies in Human Society
Research Group:	Policy and Administration
Research Field:	Public Policy
Objective Division:	Law, Politics and Community Services
Objective Group:	Government and Politics
Objective Field:	Public Services Policy Advice and Analysis
Author:	Haward, M (Professor Marcus Haward)
Author:	Vince, J (Dr Joanna Vince)
ID Code:	60982
Year Published:	2009
Web of Science® Times Cited:	5
Deposited By:	Government
Deposited On:	2010-02-24
Last Modified:	2015-02-11
Downloads:	2 View Download Statistics