Publication Name: PESA Journal No. 28
Authors: D. M. Young and A. M. Kennedy
Publication Volume: 28
Date Published: December 2000
Number of Pages: 9
Reference Type: Journal Article
Abstract:
In 1999 there were a number of significant legislative andjudicial developments which affected the petroleum
industry. Among these, the more significant included:-
? the commencement of a national review of Australia's
off-shore petroleum legislation against competition
policy principles;
? the disallowance by the Federal Senate of the Northern
Territory's alternative right to negotiate ('RTN') regime;
? further shifts towards underground gas storage for
commercial purposes;
? the release of draft legislation to replace the Cultural
Record (Landscapes Queensland and Queensland
Estate) Act; and
? the High Court's decision in Yanner v Eaton.
Legislative reform continues to be one of the key issues
facing the Australian petroleum industry. Recent events
concerning the Northern Territory's and Queensland's
alternative RTN regimes would tend to suggest that
replacement of the Commonwealth's RTN regime with
alternative State-based regimes is highly unlikely. Apart
from the uncertainties associated with native title, the
industry must also contend with ongoing reform of both
cultural heritage and petroleum legislation.
The challenge for the petroleum industry in the year 2000
wi II therefore be to persevere with existing legislation,
departmental policies and practices, whilst continuing to
make a valuable contribution to the various review
processes.