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Bill
- Part 1—Introduction
- Part 2—Definitions
- Part 1—Prohibition of unauthorised offshore infrastructure activities
- Part 2—Declaring areas for offshore renewable energy infrastructure
- Part 1—Licences
- Part 2—General provisions about licences
- Part 3—Change in control of a licence holder
- Part 1—Management and operation of infrastructure
- Part 2—Directions powers
- Part 3—Protection of infrastructure
- Part 1—Offshore Infrastructure Registrar
- Part 2—Offshore Infrastructure Regulator
- Part 3—Fees and offshore electricity infrastructure levy
- Part 4—Compliance and enforcement
- Part 1—Work Health and Safety
- Part 2—Application of State and Territory laws in Commonwealth offshore area
- Part 1—Managing data and gathering information
- Part 2—Release of regulatory information
- Part 3—Release of information given to Registrar
- Part 4—Using and sharing offshore infrastructure information and things
- Part 1—Miscellaneous provisions
- Part 2—Regulations
2019-2020-2021
The Parliament of the
Commonwealth of Australia
Presented and read a first time
Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Bill 2021
No. , 2021
(Industry, Science, Energy and Resources)
Contents
Chapter 1—Preliminary 1
Part 1—Introduction 1
1............ Short title............................................................................................. 1
2............ Commencement................................................................................... 2
3............ Object of this Act................................................................................ 2
4............ Simplified outline of this Act.............................................................. 2
5............ External Territories.............................................................................. 3
6............ Crown to be bound............................................................................. 4
7............ Provisions to apply to certain offshore electricity transmission infrastructure subject to international obligations 4
Part 2—Definitions 5
8............ Definitions.......................................................................................... 5
9............ Datum provisions.............................................................................. 14
10.......... Meaning of offshore renewable energy infrastructure ...................... 14
11.......... Meaning of offshore electricity transmission infrastructure ............. 15
12.......... Offshore renewable energy infrastructure and offshore electricity transmission infrastructure 16
13.......... Meaning of renewable energy resource ............................................ 17
Chapter 2—Regulation of offshore infrastructure activities 18
Part 1—Prohibition of unauthorised offshore infrastructure activities 18
14.......... Simplified outline of this Part............................................................ 18
15.......... Prohibition of unauthorised offshore infrastructure activities in the Commonwealth offshore area 18
Part 2—Declaring areas for offshore renewable energy infrastructure 20
Division 1—Introduction 20
16.......... Simplified outline of this Part............................................................ 20
Division 2—Declared areas 21
17.......... Declared areas................................................................................... 21
18.......... Notice of proposal to declare an area................................................. 22
19.......... Making a decision............................................................................. 22
20.......... Conditions that apply to a declaration................................................ 23
21.......... Period for which a declaration remains in force................................ 24
Division 3—Varying a declaration 25
22.......... Variation to extend period or increase declared area.......................... 25
23.......... Variation of conditions, or to reduce declared area............................ 26
24.......... Consultation on proposed variation................................................... 27
25.......... Varying a declaration to make minor and technical corrections......... 28
Division 4—Revoking a declaration 29
26.......... Revoking a declaration...................................................................... 29
27.......... Revoking a declaration—consultation............................................... 30
Chapter 3—Licensing 31
Part 1—Licences 31
Division 1—Introduction 31
28.......... Simplified outline of this Part............................................................ 31
29.......... Licensing scheme.............................................................................. 32
Division 2—Feasibility licences 33
30.......... Purpose of a feasibility licence.......................................................... 33
31.......... Activities authorised by a feasibility licence...................................... 33
32.......... Applications for feasibility licences................................................... 33
33.......... Grant of a feasibility licence.............................................................. 34
34.......... Merit criteria for a feasibility licence................................................. 35
35.......... Conditions that apply to a feasibility licence...................................... 36
36.......... Term of a feasibility licence............................................................... 37
37.......... Extending the term of a feasibility licence......................................... 38
38.......... Varying a feasibility licence.............................................................. 38
Division 3—Commercial licences 40
39.......... Purpose of a commercial licence....................................................... 40
40.......... Activities authorised by a commercial licence................................... 40
41.......... Applications for commercial licences................................................ 40
42.......... Grant of a commercial licence........................................................... 41
43.......... Minister may require applicant to consult etc.................................... 43
44.......... Merit criteria for a commercial licence............................................... 43
45.......... Conditions that apply to a commercial licence................................... 44
46.......... Term of a commercial licence............................................................ 45
47.......... Extending the term of a commercial licence....................................... 45
48.......... Varying a commercial licence............................................................ 46
Division 4—Research and demonstration licences 48
49.......... Purpose of a research and demonstration licence.............................. 48
50.......... Activities authorised by a research and demonstration licence.......... 48
51.......... Applications for research and demonstration licences....................... 49
52.......... Grant of a research and demonstration licence.................................. 49
53.......... Merit criteria for a research and demonstration licence...................... 50
54.......... Conditions that apply to a research and demonstration licence.......... 51
55.......... Term of a research and demonstration licence................................... 51
56.......... Extending the term of a research and demonstration licence.............. 52
57.......... Varying a research and demonstration licence................................... 53
Division 5—Transmission and infrastructure licences 55
58.......... Purpose of a transmission and infrastructure licence......................... 55
59.......... Activities authorised by a transmission and infrastructure licence..... 55
60.......... Applications for transmission and infrastructure licences................. 55
61.......... Grant of a transmission and infrastructure licence............................. 56
62.......... Merit criteria for a transmission and infrastructure licence................ 57
63.......... Conditions that apply to a transmission and infrastructure licence.... 58
64.......... Term of a transmission and infrastructure licence............................. 58
65.......... Extending the term of a transmission and infrastructure licence........ 59
66.......... Varying a transmission and infrastructure licence............................. 59
Part 2—General provisions about licences 61
Division 1—Introduction 61
67.......... Simplified outline of this Part............................................................ 61
Division 2—Licence transfers 62
68.......... Licences to be transferred only under this Division.......................... 62
69.......... Application for transfer..................................................................... 62
70.......... Minister may transfer licence............................................................ 62
71.......... Licence transfer does not affect conditions or end day...................... 63
72.......... Financial security for a transferred licence........................................ 63
Division 3—Cancelling and surrendering licences 65
73.......... Cancellation of licence....................................................................... 65
74.......... Surrender of licence.......................................................................... 66
Division 4—Other general provisions about licences 69
75.......... False or misleading information........................................................ 69
76.......... False or misleading documents......................................................... 69
77.......... Interference with other activities by licence holder............................ 70
78.......... Interference with other activities by other person carrying out activities under licence 71
79.......... No conditions about payment of money............................................ 72
80.......... Basis on which licences granted........................................................ 72
81.......... Changes to the boundaries of the Commonwealth offshore area....... 73
82.......... Licences etc. are not personal property for the purposes of the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 73
Part 3—Change in control of a licence holder 74
Division 1—Introduction 74
83.......... Simplified outline of this Part............................................................ 74
84.......... Meaning of control and change in control of licence holder............. 74
85.......... Meaning of approval period ............................................................. 75
Division 2—Application and approval of change in control of a licence holder 76
86.......... Application for approval................................................................... 76
87.......... Registrar must decide whether to approve change in control............. 76
88.......... Notice of decision............................................................................. 77
89.......... Retention and return of instrument.................................................... 77
90.......... Limit of effect of approval................................................................. 77
91.......... Notification of change in circumstances before or during approval period 78
92.......... Revocation of approval..................................................................... 78
93.......... Notification of change in control....................................................... 79
94.......... Change in control information to be entered in Register.................... 80
Division 3—Change in control must be approved 81
95.......... Change in control must be approved by Registrar............................. 81
96.......... Notification of change in control that takes effect without approval.. 82
97.......... Notification of change in control by licence holder........................... 83
Division 4—Information-gathering powers 84
98.......... Registrar may obtain information and documents............................. 84
99.......... Complying with information-gathering notice................................... 85
100........ Power to examine on oath or affirmation.......................................... 86
101........ Self-incrimination.............................................................................. 86
102........ Copies of documents......................................................................... 87
103........ Registrar may retain documents........................................................ 87
104........ False or misleading information........................................................ 88
105........ False or misleading documents......................................................... 88
106........ False or misleading evidence............................................................. 88
Division 5—Tracing and anti-avoidance 90
107........ Tracing.............................................................................................. 90
108........ Anti-avoidance.................................................................................. 91
Division 6—Other provisions 93
109........ Registrar etc. not concerned with the effect of instrument lodged under this Part 93
110........ Falsified documents.......................................................................... 93
111........ Inspection of instruments.................................................................. 93
112........ Evidentiary provisions...................................................................... 93
Chapter 4—Management and protection of infrastructure 96
Part 1—Management and operation of infrastructure 96
Division 1—Introduction 96
113........ Simplified outline of this Part............................................................ 96
Division 2—Management plans 97
114........ Licensing scheme must provide for management plans..................... 97
115........ Matters that a management plan must address................................... 98
Division 3—Operations 100
116........ Maintenance and removal of property etc. by licence holder........... 100
Division 4—Financial security 102
117........ Requirement to provide financial security....................................... 102
118........ Contravention of requirement to provide financial security............. 103
119........ Recovery and application of financial security................................ 104
Part 2—Directions powers 106
Division 1—Introduction 106
120........ Simplified outline of this Part.......................................................... 106
Division 2—General power to give directions 107
121........ General power to give directions—Regulator................................. 107
122........ Directions under section 121 may extend outside of licence area.... 109
123........ Directions under section 121—compliance..................................... 110
124........ Regulator may take action if there is a breach of a direction under section 121 112
Division 3—Remedial directions 114
125........ Remedial directions—power to issue directions under different provisions 114
126........ Remedial directions by the Regulator.............................................. 114
127........ Remedial directions by the Minister................................................ 116
128........ Remedial directions—compliance................................................... 117
129........ Regulator may take action if direction breached or arrangement not carried out 118
130........ Removal, disposal or sale of property by Regulator—breach of direction 120
131........ Removal, disposal or sale of property—limitation of action etc...... 122
132........ Minister may take action if direction breached or arrangement not carried out 123
Division 4—Defence of taking reasonable steps to comply with a direction 124
133........ Defence of taking reasonable steps to comply with a direction....... 124
Part 3—Protection of infrastructure 125
Division 1—Introduction 125
134........ Simplified outline of this Part.......................................................... 125
Division 2—Offence of interfering with infrastructure 126
135........ Interfering with infrastructure......................................................... 126
Division 3—Safety zones 127
Subdivision A—Safety zones 127
136........ Safety zones.................................................................................... 127
137........ Determination on Regulator’s initiative or in response to application 128
138........ When a determination takes effect................................................... 129
139........ Offences of entering or being present in a safety zone.................... 129
Subdivision B—Authorised safety zone officials and powers in relation to safety zones 131
140........ Authorised safety zone officials...................................................... 131
141........ Requirement to move vessel etc...................................................... 131
Division 4—Protection zones 134
Subdivision A—Determinations 134
142........ Regulator may determine a protection zone..................................... 134
143........ Determination on Regulator’s initiative or in response to application 135
144........ Prohibited activities......................................................................... 135
145........ Restricted activities.......................................................................... 135
146........ When a determination takes effect................................................... 136
147........ Determination continues in effect even if infrastructure ceases to operate 136
Subdivision B—Offences in relation to protection zones 136
148........ Engaging in prohibited or restricted activities.................................. 136
149........ Defences to offence of engaging in prohibited or restricted activities 137
150........ Master or owner of vessel used in offence of engaging in prohibited or restricted activities 137
151........ Foreign nationals and foreign vessels............................................. 138
Chapter 5—Administration 140
Part 1—Offshore Infrastructure Registrar 140
Division 1—Introduction 140
152........ Simplified outline of this Part.......................................................... 140
Division 2—Offshore Infrastructure Registrar 141
153........ Offshore Infrastructure Registrar.................................................... 141
154........ Functions of the Registrar............................................................... 141
155........ Powers of the Registrar................................................................... 142
156........ Delegation by the Registrar............................................................. 142
157........ Consultants..................................................................................... 143
158........ Registrar to be assisted by APS employees in the Department....... 143
159........ Annual report.................................................................................. 143
160........ Reviews of activities of Registrar.................................................... 143
161........ Judicial notice of signature of the Registrar..................................... 144
Division 3—The Register of Offshore Infrastructure Licences 145
162........ Register to be kept........................................................................... 145
163........ Records to be made in Register....................................................... 145
164........ Entry in Register—events affecting a licence.................................. 146
165........ Other instruments or notices to be included in register.................... 147
166........ Notation in Register—applicable datum.......................................... 147
167........ Material that must not be included in a record for a licence............. 147
168........ Notification requirements—licence holder...................................... 147
169........ Evidentiary provisions.................................................................... 148
170........ Corrections of clerical errors or obvious defects............................. 149
Division 4—Offshore Infrastructure Registrar Special Account 150
171........ Offshore Infrastructure Registrar Special Account......................... 150
172........ Credits to the Offshore Infrastructure Registrar Special Account... 150
173........ Purposes of the Offshore Infrastructure Registrar Special Account 151
Part 2—Offshore Infrastructure Regulator 152
Division 1—Introduction 152
174........ Simplified outline of this Part.......................................................... 152
Division 2—The Regulator 153
175........ The Regulator.................................................................................. 153
176........ The CEO of the Regulator............................................................... 153
177........ Functions of the Regulator.............................................................. 153
178........ Powers of the Regulator.................................................................. 155
179........ Delegation by the Regulator............................................................ 155
180........ Consultants and persons seconded to the Regulator........................ 156
181........ Minister may require Regulator to prepare reports or give information 156
182........ Minister may give directions to Regulator....................................... 157
183........ Additional functions and powers.................................................... 157
184........ Annual reports................................................................................ 160
Division 3—Other financial matters 161
185........ Money received by the Regulator.................................................... 161
186........ Commonwealth payments to the Regulator..................................... 161
187........ Application of money of the Regulator........................................... 161
Part 3—Fees and offshore electricity infrastructure levy 163
188........ Simplified outline of this Part.......................................................... 163
189........ Fees................................................................................................. 163
190........ Offshore electricity infrastructure levy............................................ 164
Part 4—Compliance and enforcement 166
Division 1—Introduction 166
191........ Simplified outline of this Part.......................................................... 166
Division 2—OEI inspectors 167
192........ OEI inspectors—appointment......................................................... 167
193........ OEI inspectors—directions by Regulator........................................ 168
194........ OEI inspectors—reimbursement for exercise of powers relating to the Registrar 168
Division 3—Monitoring and investigation powers 170
195........ Monitoring powers (general).......................................................... 170
196........ Investigation powers (general)........................................................ 173
197........ Monitoring and investigation powers (special provisions).............. 175
198........ Monitoring powers (entering offshore premises without warrant).. 176
199........ Investigation powers (entering offshore premises without warrant) 177
200........ Monitoring and investigation powers (reasonable facilities and assistance) 178
201........ OEI inspections—licence holder’s representative........................... 179
202........ Monitoring and investigation powers (relationship with other powers) 180
203........ Obstructing or hindering OEI inspector.......................................... 181
204........ OEI inspections—reports................................................................ 181
Division 4—Compliance powers 183
205........ Do not disturb notices—issue......................................................... 183
206........ Do not disturb notices—notification and display............................ 184
207........ Prohibition notices—issue.............................................................. 185
208........ Prohibition notices—notification..................................................... 187
209........ Improvement notices—issue........................................................... 189
210........ Improvement notices—compliance................................................. 191
211........ Tampering with and removing notices............................................ 192
212........ Publishing prohibition notices and improvement notices................ 192
Division 5—Civil penalties 194
213........ Civil penalty provisions.................................................................. 194
214........ Contravening civil penalty provisions............................................. 196
Division 6—Infringement notices 197
215........ Infringement notices........................................................................ 197
216........ Evidentiary matters.......................................................................... 199
Division 7—Injunctions 201
217........ Injunctions...................................................................................... 201
Division 8—Enforceable undertakings 204
218........ Enforceable undertakings................................................................ 204
219........ Publication of enforceable undertakings.......................................... 207
220........ Compliance with enforceable undertaking....................................... 208
221........ Listed WHS laws............................................................................ 209
Division 9—Adverse publicity orders 210
222........ Adverse publicity orders................................................................. 210
Division 10—Miscellaneous 212
223........ Physical elements of offences......................................................... 212
224........ Contravening offence and civil penalty provisions.......................... 212
Chapter 6—Application of work health and safety laws and other laws 213
Part 1—Work Health and Safety 213
Division 1—Introduction 213
225........ Simplified outline of this Part.......................................................... 213
Division 2—Application of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 214
226........ Application of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 ...................... 214
227........ References to Comcare.................................................................... 214
228........ Section 4 (definitions)..................................................................... 214
229........ Section 4 (definition of inspector )................................................... 215
230........ Section 12 (scope)........................................................................... 215
231........ Section 12A (Act does not apply to certain vessels, structures and facilities) 216
232........ Division 3 of Part 2 (further duties of persons conducting businesses or undertakings) 216
233........ Section 37 (what is a dangerous incident )...................................... 216
234........ Section 90 (provisional improvement notices)................................ 216
235........ Section 92 (contents of provisional improvement notice)................ 217
236........ Section 102 (decision of inspector on review of provisional improvement notice) 218
237........ Part 7 (workplace entry by WHS entry permit holders).................. 218
238........ Parts 8 to 11.................................................................................... 219
239........ Division 1 of Part 14 (general provisions)...................................... 219
240........ Section 274 (approved codes of practice)........................................ 219
241........ Schedule 2 (the regulator and local tripartite consultation arrangements and other local arrangements) 220
242........ Schedule 3 (regulation-making powers).......................................... 220
243........ Regulations under the Work Health and Safety Act........................ 220
Division 3—Other work health and safety provisions 221
244........ Functions and powers of OEI inspectors........................................ 221
Part 2—Application of State and Territory laws in Commonwealth offshore area 222
Division 1—Introduction 222
245........ Simplified outline of this Part.......................................................... 222
246........ Laws that this Part applies to........................................................... 222
247........ Meaning of included offshore area of a State or Territory.............. 222
Division 2—Application of State and Territory laws 223
248........ Application of State and Territory laws in offshore areas............... 223
249........ Disapplication and modification of laws......................................... 224
250........ Limit on application of laws............................................................ 225
251........ Inconsistent law not applied............................................................ 225
252........ Criminal laws not applied................................................................ 225
253........ Tax laws not applied....................................................................... 225
254........ Appropriation law not applied......................................................... 225
255........ Applied laws not to confer Commonwealth judicial power............. 225
256........ Applied laws not to contravene constitutional restrictions on conferral of powers on courts 226
257........ No limits on ordinary operation of law........................................... 226
258........ Jurisdiction of State courts.............................................................. 226
259........ Jurisdiction of Territory courts........................................................ 226
260........ Validation of certain acts................................................................. 226
261........ Certain provisions not affected by this Part..................................... 227
Chapter 7—Information relating to offshore infrastructure 228
Part 1—Managing data and gathering information 228
Division 1—Introduction 228
262........ Simplified outline of this Part.......................................................... 228
Division 2—Data management 229
263........ Data management directions—offshore infrastructure activities...... 229
264........ Data management directions—merit criteria.................................... 229
265........ Data management directions—giving a data management direction 229
266........ Minister may give directions to Registrar........................................ 230
267........ Complying with data management directions.................................. 230
268........ Regulations about data management................................................ 231
Division 3—Information-gathering 232
269........ Information-gathering notices......................................................... 232
270........ Complying with information-gathering notice................................. 233
271........ Copying documents—reasonable compensation............................. 234
272........ Power to examine on oath or affirmation........................................ 234
273........ Self-incrimination............................................................................ 234
274........ Copies of documents....................................................................... 235
275........ Registrar or OEI inspector may retain documents........................... 235
276........ False or misleading information...................................................... 236
277........ False or misleading documents....................................................... 236
278........ False or misleading evidence........................................................... 237
279........ Directions by Registrar................................................................... 237
Part 2—Release of regulatory information 238
280........ Simplified outline of this Part.......................................................... 238
281........ Registrar to make documents available to the Minister.................... 238
Part 3—Release of information given to Registrar 239
Division 1—Introduction 239
282........ Simplified outline of this Part.......................................................... 239
Division 2—Protection of confidentiality of information 240
Subdivision A—Documentary information obtained by the Registrar 240
283........ Protection of confidentiality of documentary information obtained by the Registrar 240
284........ Registrar may make information available to a Minister, a State Minister or a Territory Minister 240
Subdivision B—Documentary information obtained by a Minister 241
285........ Protection of confidentiality............................................................ 241
Subdivision C—Miscellaneous 241
286........ Fees................................................................................................. 241
287........ Review by Minister......................................................................... 242
288........ Privacy Act..................................................................................... 242
Division 3—Copyright 243
289........ Publishing or making copies of applicable documents not an infringement of copyright 243
Part 4—Using and sharing offshore infrastructure information and things 244
Division 1—Introduction 244
290........ Simplified outline of this Part.......................................................... 244
291........ Scope of Part................................................................................... 244
Division 2—Regulator’s use of offshore infrastructure information or things 246
292........ Purposes for which Regulator may use offshore infrastructure information or things 246
Division 3—Sharing offshore infrastructure information or things 247
293........ Sharing offshore infrastructure information or things for the purposes of this Act 247
294........ Regulator may share offshore infrastructure information or things with other agencies 247
295........ Personal information....................................................................... 248
Chapter 8—Miscellaneous 249
Part 1—Miscellaneous provisions 249
296........ Simplified outline of this Part.......................................................... 249
297........ Review of decisions........................................................................ 249
298........ Application of the Lands Acquisition Act 1989 ............................... 250
299........ Jurisdiction of State courts.............................................................. 250
300........ Jurisdiction of Territory courts........................................................ 250
301........ Liability for acts and omissions....................................................... 251
302........ Compensation for acquisition of property....................................... 252
303........ Delegation by Minister.................................................................... 252
Part 2—Regulations 254
304........ Simplified outline of this Part.......................................................... 254
305........ Regulations..................................................................................... 254
306........ Regulations may provide for offences............................................. 254
307........ Regulations may provide for approved forms................................. 254
308........ Regulations dealing with the Regulatory Powers Act..................... 255
309........ Pre-existing infrastructure............................................................... 257
A Bill for an Act to regulate offshore renewable energy infrastructure and offshore electricity transmission infrastructure, and for related purposes
The Parliament of Australia enacts:
Chapter 2 — Regulation of offshore infrastructure activities
Chapter 6 — Application of work health and safety laws and other laws