PETROLEUM (SUBMERGED LANDS) ACT
1974
An Act to amend the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967-1973 in relation to Papua New Guinea.
BE IT ENACTED by the Queen, the Senate and the House of Representatives of Australia, as follows:—
Short title and citation.
1 (1) This Act may be cited as the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1974.
(2) The Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967-1973 is in this Act referred to as the Principal Act.
(3) The Principal Act, as amended by this Act, may be cited as the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967-1974.
Commencement.
2 (1) Sections 1, 2 and 3 shall come into operation on the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent.
(2) The remaining provisions of this Act shall come into operation on a date to be fixed by Proclamation.
3. Section 5 of the Principal Act is amended by omitting from the definition of “the continental shelf” in sub-section (1) the words “a Territory not forming part of the Commonwealth” and substituting the words “an external Territory”.
Interpretation.
4. Section 7 of the Principal Act is repealed and the following section substituted:—
Extension to Ashmore and Cartier Islands.
“7. This Act extends to the Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands.”.
Designated Authorities—Territories.
5. Section 16 of the Principal Act is amended—
(a) by omitting sub-sections (1) and (1a) and substituting the following sub-section:—
“(1) The Designated Authority in respect of—
(a) the adjacent area that is the area specified in Schedule 2 as being adjacent to the Northern Territory; and
(b) the adjacent area that is the area specified in that Schedule as being adjacent to the Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands, is Minister of State for the Northern Territory”; and
(b) by omitting from sub-section (2) the words “A Minister referred to in either of the last two preceding sub-sections” and substituting the words “The Minister of State for the Northern Territory”.
Payments by Australia to Papua New Guinea.
6. (1) Section 130 of the Principal Act is repealed.
(2) Notwithstanding the repeal effected by sub-section (1), section 130 of the Principal Act continues to apply in relation to fees, royalties and other payments under that Act or under any Act with which that Act is incorporated received by Australia before the date of commencement of this Act.
Interpretation.
7. Section 134 of the Principal Act is repealed.
Schedule 2
8. Schedule 2 to the Principal Act is amended—
(a) by omitting the heading to the description, and the description, of the area adjacent to the Territory of Papua; and
(b) by omitting the heading to the description, and the description, of the area adjacent to the Territory of New Guinea.