ships.

The increases of five to six percent over two years reflected the rate of inflation, Tourism and Marine Services Minister David Dodwell said.

The draft regulations, entitled the Marine Board (Seaborne Services) Regulations 1997, the Marine Board (Pilotage Dues) Amendment Regulations 1997, the Marine Board (Light Tolls) Regulations 1997 and the Marine and Ports Authority (Port Dues) Amendment Regulations 1997, received support from the House.

Shadow Minister David Allen called the fee increases "not the most creative approach''.

He preferred a sliding scale approach which created a set of lower fees during the shoulder months "to send a signal to cruise lines that we are trying to remain competitive''.

But Mr. Dodwell said cruise ships did not want to come here in the shoulder months of March, April and November.

The five to six percent increase covered wage increases, he added.

MPs also approved the Marine Board Amendment Act, which set a ten percent penalty for late payment of fees and gave the Minister the right to regulate any water craft. Under the legislation, barges will also be inspected.