Commonwealth Numbered Acts

OFFSHORE ELECTRICITY INFRASTRUCTURE ACT 2021 (NO. 120, 2021)

TABLE OF PROVISIONS

           Long Title

            

CHAPTER 1--Preliminary
            

   PART 1--INTRODUCTION

   1.      Short title  
   2.      Commencement  
   3.      Object of this Act  
   4.      Simplified outline of this Act  
   5.      External Territories  
   6.      Crown to be bound  
   7.      Provisions to apply to certain offshore electricity transmission infrastructure subject to international obligations  

   PART 2--DEFINITIONS

   8.      Definitions  
   9.      Datum provisions  
   10.     Meaning of offshore renewable energy infrastructure  
   11.     Meaning of offshore electricity transmission infrastructure  
   12.     Offshore renewable energy infrastructure and offshore electricity transmission infrastructure  
   13.     Meaning of renewable energy resource  
            

CHAPTER 2--Regulation of offshore infrastructure activities
            

   PART 1--PROHIBITION OF UNAUTHORISED OFFSHORE INFRASTRUCTURE ACTIVITIES

   14.     Simplified outline of this Part  
   15.     Prohibition of unauthorised offshore infrastructure activities in the Commonwealth offshore area  

   PART 2--DECLARING AREAS FOR OFFSHORE RENEWABLE ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE

           Division 1--Introduction

   16.     Simplified outline of this Part  

           Division 2--Declared areas

   17.     Declared areas  
   18.     Notice of proposal to declare an area  
   19.     Making a decision  
   20.     Conditions that apply to a declaration  
   21.     Period for which a declaration remains in force  

           Division 3--Varying a declaration

   22.     Variation to extend period or increase declared area  
   23.     Variation of conditions, or to reduce declared area  
   24.     Consultation on proposed variation  
   25.     Varying a declaration to make minor and technical corrections  

           Division 4--Revoking a declaration

   26.     Revoking a declaration  
   27.     Revoking a declaration--consultation  
            

CHAPTER 3--Licensing
            

   PART 1--LICENCES

           Division 1--Introduction

   28.     Simplified outline of this Part  
   29.     Licensing scheme  

           Division 2--Feasibility licences

   30.     Purpose of a feasibility licence  
   31.     Activities authorised by a feasibility licence  
   32.     Applications for feasibility licences  
   33.     Grant of a feasibility licence  
   34.     Merit criteria for a feasibility licence  
   35.     Conditions that apply to a feasibility licence  
   36.     Term of a feasibility licence  
   37.     Extending the term of a feasibility licence  
   38.     Varying a feasibility licence  

           Division 3--Commercial licences

   39.     Purpose of a commercial licence  
   40.     Activities authorised by a commercial licence  
   41.     Applications for commercial licences  
   42.     Grant of a commercial licence  
   43.     Minister may require applicant to consult etc.  
   44.     Merit criteria for a commercial licence  
   45.     Conditions that apply to a commercial licence  
   46.     Term of a commercial licence  
   47.     Extending the term of a commercial licence  
   48.     Varying a commercial licence  

           Division 4--Research and demonstration licences

   49.     Purpose of a research and demonstration licence  
   50.     Activities authorised by a research and demonstration licence  
   51.     Applications for research and demonstration licences  
   52.     Grant of a research and demonstration licence  
   53.     Merit criteria for a research and demonstration licence  
   54.     Conditions that apply to a research and demonstration licence  
   55.     Term of a research and demonstration licence  
   56.     Extending the term of a research and demonstration licence  
   57.     Varying a research and demonstration licence  

           Division 5--Transmission and infrastructure licences

   58.     Purpose of a transmission and infrastructure licence  
   59.     Activities authorised by a transmission and infrastructure licence  
   60.     Applications for transmission and infrastructure licences  
   61.     Grant of a transmission and infrastructure licence  
   62.     Merit criteria for a transmission and infrastructure licence  
   63.     Conditions that apply to a transmission and infrastructure licence  
   64.     Term of a transmission and infrastructure licence  
   65.     Extending the term of a transmission and infrastructure licence  
   66.     Varying a transmission and infrastructure licence  

   PART 2--GENERAL PROVISIONS ABOUT LICENCES

           Division 1--Introduction

   67.     Simplified outline of this Part  

           Division 2--Licence transfers

   68.     Licences to be transferred only under this Division  
   69.     Application for transfer  
   70.     Minister may transfer licence  
   71.     Licence transfer does not affect conditions or end day  
   72.     Financial security for a transferred licence  

           Division 3--Cancelling and surrendering licences

   73.     Cancellation of licence  
   74.     Surrender of licence  

           Division 4--Other general provisions about licences

   75.     False or misleading information  
   76.     False or misleading documents  
   77.     Interference with other activities by licence holder  
   78.     Interference with other activities by other person carrying out activities under licence  
   79.     No conditions about payment of money  
   80.     Basis on which licences granted  
   81.     Changes to the boundaries of the Commonwealth offshore area  
   82.     Licences etc. are not personal property for the purposes of the Personal Property Securities Act 2009  

   PART 3--CHANGE IN CONTROL OF A LICENCE HOLDER

           Division 1--Introduction

   83.     Simplified outline of this Part  
   84.     Meaning of control and change in control of licence holder  
   85.     Meaning of approval period  

           Division 2--Application and approval of change in control of a licence holder

   86.     Application for approval  
   87.     Registrar must decide whether to approve change in control  
   88.     Notice of decision  
   89.     Retention and return of instrument  
   90.     Limit of effect of approval  
   91.     Notification of change in circumstances before or during approval period  
   92.     Revocation of approval  
   93.     Notification of change in control  
   94.     Change in control information to be entered in Register  

           Division 3--Change in control must be approved

   95.     Change in control must be approved by Registrar  
   96.     Notification of change in control that takes effect without approval  
   97.     Notification of change in control by licence holder  

           Division 4--Information-gathering powers

   98.     Registrar may obtain information and documents  
   99.     Complying with information-gathering notice  
   100.    Power to examine on oath or affirmation  
   101.    Self-incrimination  
   102.    Copies of documents  
   103.    Registrar may retain documents  
   104.    False or misleading information  
   105.    False or misleading documents  
   106.    False or misleading evidence  

           Division 5--Tracing and anti-avoidance

   107.    Tracing  
   108.    Anti-avoidance  

           Division 6--Other provisions

   109.    Registrar etc. not concerned with the effect of instrument lodged under this Part  
   110.    Falsified documents  
   111.    Inspection of instruments  
   112.    Evidentiary provisions  
            

CHAPTER 4--Management and protection of infrastructure
            

   PART 1--MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF INFRASTRUCTURE

           Division 1--Introduction

   113.    Simplified outline of this Part  

           Division 2--Management plans

   114.    Licensing scheme must provide for management plans  
   115.    Matters that a management plan must address  

           Division 3--Operations

   116.    Maintenance and removal of property etc. by licence holder  

           Division 4--Financial security

   117.    Requirement to provide financial security  
   118.    Contravention of requirement to provide financial security  
   119.    Recovery and application of financial security  

   PART 2--DIRECTIONS POWERS

           Division 1--Introduction

   120.    Simplified outline of this Part  

           Division 2--General power to give directions

   121.    General power to give directions--Regulator  
   122.    Directions under section 121 may extend outside of licence area  
   123.    Directions under section 121--compliance  
   124.    Regulator may take action if there is a breach of a direction under section 121  

           Division 3--Remedial directions

   125.    Remedial directions--power to issue directions under different provisions  
   126.    Remedial directions by the Regulator  
   127.    Remedial directions by the Minister  
   128.    Remedial directions--compliance  
   129.    Regulator may take action if direction breached or arrangement not carried out  
   130.    Removal, disposal or sale of property by Regulator--breach of direction  
   131.    Removal, disposal or sale of property--limitation of action etc.  
   132.    Minister may take action if direction breached or arrangement not carried out  

           Division 4--Defence of taking reasonable steps to comply with a direction

   133.    Defence of taking reasonable steps to comply with a direction  

   PART 3--PROTECTION OF INFRASTRUCTURE

           Division 1--Introduction

   134.    Simplified outline of this Part  

           Division 2--Offence of interfering with infrastructure

   135.    Interfering with infrastructure  

           Division 3--Safety zones

              Subdivision A--Safety zones

   136.    Safety zones  
   137.    Determination on Regulator's initiative or in response to application  
   138.    When a determination takes effect  
   139.    Offences of entering or being present in a safety zone  

              Subdivision B--Authorised safety zone officials and powers in relation to safety zones

   140.    Authorised safety zone officials  
   141.    Requirement to move vessel etc.  

           Division 4--Protection zones

              Subdivision A--Determinations

   142.    Regulator may determine a protection zone  
   143.    Determination on Regulator's initiative or in response to application  
   144.    Prohibited activities  
   145.    Restricted activities  
   146.    When a determination takes effect  
   147.    Determination continues in effect even if infrastructure ceases to operate  

              Subdivision B--Offences in relation to protection zones

   148.    Engaging in prohibited or restricted activities  
   149.    Defences to offence of engaging in prohibited or restricted activities  
   150.    Master or owner of vessel used in offence of engaging in prohibited or restricted activities  
   151.    Foreign nationals and foreign vessels  
            

CHAPTER 5--Administration
            

   PART 1--OFFSHORE INFRASTRUCTURE REGISTRAR

           Division 1--Introduction

   152.    Simplified outline of this Part  

           Division 2--Offshore Infrastructure Registrar

   153.    Offshore Infrastructure Registrar  
   154.    Functions of the Registrar  
   155.    Powers of the Registrar  
   156.    Delegation by the Registrar  
   157.    Consultants  
   158.    Registrar to be assisted by APS employees in the Department  
   159.    Annual report  
   160.    Reviews of activities of Registrar  
   161.    Judicial notice of signature of the Registrar  

           Division 3--The Register of Offshore Infrastructure Licences

   162.    Register to be kept  
   163.    Records to be made in Register  
   164.    Entry in Register--events affecting a licence  
   165.    Other instruments or notices to be included in register  
   166.    Notation in Register--applicable datum  
   167.    Material that must not be included in a record for a licence  
   168.    Notification requirements--licence holder  
   169.    Evidentiary provisions  
   170.    Corrections of clerical errors or obvious defects  

           Division 4--Offshore Infrastructure Registrar Special Account

   171.    Offshore Infrastructure Registrar Special Account  
   172.    Credits to the Offshore Infrastructure Registrar Special Account  
   173.    Purposes of the Offshore Infrastructure Registrar Special Account  

   PART 2--OFFSHORE INFRASTRUCTURE REGULATOR

           Division 1--Introduction

   174.    Simplified outline of this Part  

           Division 2--The Regulator

   175.    The Regulator  
   176.    The CEO of the Regulator  
   177.    Functions of the Regulator  
   178.    Powers of the Regulator  
   179.    Delegation by the Regulator  
   180.    Consultants and persons seconded to the Regulator  
   181.    Minister may require Regulator to prepare reports or give information  
   182.    Minister may give directions to Regulator  
   183.    Additional functions and powers  
   184.    Annual reports  

           Division 3--Other financial matters

   185.    Money received by the Regulator  
   186.    Commonwealth payments to the Regulator  
   187.    Application of money of the Regulator  

   PART 3--FEES AND OFFSHORE ELECTRICITY INFRASTRUCTURE LEVY

   188.    Simplified outline of this Part  
   189.    Fees  
   190.    Offshore electricity infrastructure levy  

   PART 4--COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT

           Division 1--Introduction

   191.    Simplified outline of this Part  

           Division 2--OEI inspectors

   192.    OEI inspectors--appointment  
   193.    OEI inspectors--directions by Regulator  
   194.    OEI inspectors--reimbursement for exercise of powers relating to the Registrar  

           Division 3--Monitoring and investigation powers

   195.    Monitoring powers (general)  
   196.    Investigation powers (general)  
   197.    Monitoring and investigation powers (special provisions)  
   198.    Monitoring powers (entering offshore premises without warrant)  
   199.    Investigation powers (entering offshore premises without warrant)  
   200.    Monitoring and investigation powers (reasonable facilities and assistance)  
   201.    OEI inspections--licence holder's representative  
   202.    Monitoring and investigation powers (relationship with other powers)  
   203.    Obstructing or hindering OEI inspector  
   204.    OEI inspections--reports  

           Division 4--Compliance powers

   205.    Do not disturb notices--issue  
   206.    Do not disturb notices--notification and display  
   207.    Prohibition notices--issue  
   208.    Prohibition notices--notification  
   209.    Improvement notices--issue  
   210.    Improvement notices--compliance  
   211.    Tampering with and removing notices  
   212.    Publishing prohibition notices and improvement notices  

           Division 5--Civil penalties

   213.    Civil penalty provisions  
   214.    Contravening civil penalty provisions  

           Division 6--Infringement notices

   215.    Infringement notices  
   216.    Evidentiary matters  

           Division 7--Injunctions

   217.    Injunctions  

           Division 8--Enforceable undertakings

   218.    Enforceable undertakings  
   219.    Publication of enforceable undertakings  
   220.    Compliance with enforceable undertaking  
   221.    Listed WHS laws  

           Division 9--Adverse publicity orders

   222.    Adverse publicity orders  

           Division 10--Miscellaneous

   223.    Physical elements of offences  
   224.    Contravening offence and civil penalty provisions  
            

CHAPTER 6--Application of work health and safety laws and other laws
            

   PART 1--WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY

           Division 1--Introduction

   225.    Simplified outline of this Part  

           Division 2--Application of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011

   226.    Application of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011  
   227.    References to Comcare  
   228.    Section 4 (definitions)  
   229.    Section 4 (definition of inspector)  
   230.    Section 12 (scope)  
   231.    Section 12A (Act does not apply to certain vessels, structures and facilities)  
   232.    Division 3 of Part 2 (further duties of persons conducting businesses or undertakings)  
   233.    Section 37 (what is a dangerous incident)  
   234.    Section 90 (provisional improvement notices)  
   235.    Section 92 (contents of provisional improvement notice)  
   236.    Section 102 (decision of inspector on review of provisional improvement notice)  
   237.    Part 7 (workplace entry by WHS entry permit holders)  
   238.    Parts 8 to 11  
   239.    Division 1 of Part 14 (general provisions)  
   240.    Section 274 (approved codes of practice)  
   241.    Schedule 2 (the regulator and local tripartite consultation arrangements and other local arrangements)  
   242.    Schedule 3 (regulation-making powers)  
   243.    Regulations under the Work Health and Safety Act  

           Division 3--Other work health and safety provisions

   244.    Functions and powers of OEI inspectors  

   PART 2--APPLICATION OF STATE AND TERRITORY LAWS IN COMMONWEALTH OFFSHORE AREA

           Division 1--Introduction

   245.    Simplified outline of this Part  
   246.    Laws that this Part applies to  
   247.    Meaning of included offshore area of a State or Territory  

           Division 2--Application of State and Territory laws

   248.    Application of State and Territory laws in offshore areas  
   249.    Disapplication and modification of laws  
   250.    Limit on application of laws  
   251.    Inconsistent law not applied  
   252.    Criminal laws not applied  
   253.    Tax laws not applied  
   254.    Appropriation law not applied  
   255.    Applied laws not to confer Commonwealth judicial power  
   256.    Applied laws not to contravene constitutional restrictions on conferral of powers on courts  
   257.    No limits on ordinary operation of law  
   258.    Jurisdiction of State courts  
   259.    Jurisdiction of Territory courts  
   260.    Validation of certain acts  
   261.    Certain provisions not affected by this Part  
            

CHAPTER 7--Information relating to offshore infrastructure
            

   PART 1--MANAGING DATA AND GATHERING INFORMATION

           Division 1--Introduction

   262.    Simplified outline of this Part  

           Division 2--Data management

   263.    Data management directions--offshore infrastructure activities  
   264.    Data management directions--merit criteria  
   265.    Data management directions--giving a data management direction  
   266.    Minister may give directions to Registrar  
   267.    Complying with data management directions  
   268.    Regulations about data management  

           Division 3--Information-gathering

   269.    Information-gathering notices  
   270.    Complying with information-gathering notice  
   271.    Copying documents--reasonable compensation  
   272.    Power to examine on oath or affirmation  
   273.    Self-incrimination  
   274.    Copies of documents  
   275.    Registrar or OEI inspector may retain documents  
   276.    False or misleading information  
   277.    False or misleading documents  
   278.    False or misleading evidence  
   279.    Directions by Registrar  

   PART 2--RELEASE OF REGULATORY INFORMATION

   280.    Simplified outline of this Part  
   281.    Registrar to make documents available to the Minister  

   PART 3--RELEASE OF INFORMATION GIVEN TO REGISTRAR

           Division 1--Introduction

   282.    Simplified outline of this Part  

           Division 2--Protection of confidentiality of information

              Subdivision A--Documentary information obtained by the Registrar

   283.    Protection of confidentiality of documentary information obtained by the Registrar  
   284.    Registrar may make information available to a Minister, a State Minister or a Territory Minister  

              Subdivision B--Documentary information obtained by a Minister

   285.    Protection of confidentiality  

              Subdivision C--Miscellaneous

   286.    Fees  
   287.    Review by Minister  
   288.    Privacy Act  

           Division 3--Copyright

   289.    Publishing or making copies of applicable documents not an infringement of copyright  

   PART 4--USING AND SHARING OFFSHORE INFRASTRUCTURE INFORMATION AND THINGS

           Division 1--Introduction

   290.    Simplified outline of this Part  
   291.    Scope of Part  

           Division 2--Regulator's use of offshore infrastructure information or things

   292.    Purposes for which Regulator may use offshore infrastructure information or things  

           Division 3--Sharing offshore infrastructure information or things

   293.    Sharing offshore infrastructure information or things for the purposes of this Act  
   294.    Regulator may share offshore infrastructure information or things with other agencies  
   295.    Personal information  
            

CHAPTER 8--Miscellaneous
            

   PART 1--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

   296.    Simplified outline of this Part  
   297.    Review of decisions  
   298.    Application of the Lands Acquisition Act 1989  
   299.    Jurisdiction of State courts  
   300.    Jurisdiction of Territory courts  
   301.    Liability for acts and omissions  
   302.    Compensation for acquisition of property  
   303.    Delegation by Minister  

   PART 2--REGULATIONS

   304.    Simplified outline of this Part  
   305.    Regulations  
   306.    Regulations may provide for offences  
   307.    Regulations may provide for approved forms  
   308.    Regulations dealing with the Regulatory Powers Act  
   309.    Pre-existing infrastructure