The Environment Protection Amendment Act 2018 (Vic) (EP Act), which was set to commence on 1 July 2020 (and overhaul environmental laws in Victoria) will now commence on 1 July 2021 as a part of a suite of emergency measures in response to COVID-19. ...

On 16 April 2020, the Environmental Protection Amendment Bill 2020 (WA) was introduced to the WA Parliament. ...

The Queensland Parliament has passed the Resources Safety and Health Queensland Act 2020 (Qld) (RSHQ Act), which when it comes into effect on 1 July 2020, will change the State's regulatory framework for health and safety in the resources industry. ...

Gas regulation in Victoria is set for major reform after the Government introduced two new bills aimed at enhancing the security of gas supply for the State. ...

The Queensland Government has announced major reforms to its petroleum royalties regime which will come into force from 1 October 2020. This, and the royalty rates ultimately set, will have implications for the future returns on Queensland petroleum projects. Producers should also review any existing private arrangements that may have relied on the existing wellhead value approach to ensure any unanticipated consequences are resolved prior commencement of the new regime. ...

Under Victoria's new offence of workplace manslaughter, if a corporation or officer (which can extend to senior managers) is negligent and that results in a fatality, there will be a risk of criminal prosecution. Individuals will risk a lengthy sentence of imprisonment. ...

Since 20 March 2020, the ACCC has granted a number of urgent interim authorisations across a range of industries allowing businesses to collaborate in response to COVID-19. ...

On 24 March 2020, the Productivity Commission released its draft report on resources sector regulation. ...

On 28 April 2020, a number of amendments to the OPGGSA and the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Regulatory Levies) Act 2003 (Cth) (Levies Act) came into force. ...

The most significant impact of the Act is to extend the term of the State Agreement by a further 25 years from 31 December 2034 to 31 December 2059. ...