✦ Plain-English Summary

Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Regulatory Levies) Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) 2019

What it does

This bill updates the rules for fees charged to companies operating offshore oil and gas projects and those storing greenhouse gases underground in Australian waters. It makes three main changes: clarifying how fees apply when projects cross state boundaries, confirming the government can enforce these fees, and fixing a technical error from a previous law.

Why it matters

The changes ensure the government can properly collect regulatory fees from all offshore energy projects, including new greenhouse gas storage operations. This keeps the regulatory system running smoothly and makes sure costs are fairly distributed among operators.

Key details

• Cross-boundary projects: Companies operating across multiple state waters now have clearer rules about which fees apply to their operations
• Government enforcement: The law explicitly confirms the Crown (government) is bound by these fee requirements, preventing any legal loopholes
• Commencement timing: Most changes take effect when companion legislation commences (linking to a related bill on cross-boundary greenhouse gas titles); one technical fix came into effect on 28 October 2019

Official Description

Introduced with the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Amendment (Cross-boundary Greenhouse Gas Titles and Other Measures) Bill 2019, the bill amends the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Regulatory Levies) Act 2003 to: provide that the greenhouse gas related provisions of the Act and regulations apply, and are taken to have always applied, to the states and the Northern Territory; and make consequential amendments.

Committee Referrals

Senate Economics Legislation Committee

No formal division recorded

This bill passed by voice vote — parliament agreed without calling a formal count. A division is only recorded when a member explicitly requests one.

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