Reducing regulatory burden on the upstream petroleum sector*
Peter Livingston A and Rhys Hunt BA Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism 10 Binara Street, CANBERRA ACT 2601. Email: peter.livingston@ret.gov.au
B Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism 10 Binara Street, CANBERRA ACT 2601. Email: rhys.hunt@ret.gov.au
The APPEA Journal 50(2) 687-687 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ09051
Published: 2010
Abstract
On 30 April 2009, the Productivity Commission released its Review of Regulatory Burden on the Upstream Petroleum Sector. The report identified significant unnecessary costs from delays and uncertainties in obtaining approvals, duplication of compliance requirements and inconsistent administration of regulatory processes. The commission found that these burdens could be reduced through new institutional arrangements—principally the establishment of a national offshore regulator—as well as implementation of best practice regulatory principles in all jurisdictions.
On 5 August 2009, the Commonwealth Minister for Resources and Energy, the Hon Martin Ferguson AM MP, announced the Australian Government’s intention to establish a national offshore petroleum regulator in Commonwealth offshore areas, from 1 January 2012.
The Council of Australian Governments is scheduled to consider an all-of-governments’ response to the commission’s recommendations in early 2010. The paper will discuss the policy rationale for reform, the proposed reforms and how they will be implemented.
Keywords: Strategic Leaders’ Report, drive for change, petroleum regulation, approvals process, regulatory reform, industry benefits, Australian Government, unnecessary burden, Productivity Commission, recommendations, all of governments’ response
Peter Livingston has extensive experience in the Commonwealth Government’s regulation of the upstream and downstream petroleum industries. Peter’s experience covers legislation, exploration and development approvals, resource taxation and energy policy. He is currently the A/g General Manager for Petroleum Regulatory Reform in the Commonwealth Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism. He also chairs the Working Group of Officials under the Ministerial Council on Mineral and Petroleum Resources preparing an all-of-government’s response to the Productivity Commission’s Review of Regulatory Burden on the Upstream Petroleum (Oil and Gas) Sector. Peter has a bachelor of economics degree from the Australian National University and master of public administration from the University of Canberra. |
Rhys is currently the A/g manager for Petroleum Regulatory Reform in the Commonwealth Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism. His previous petroleum regulatory reform experience includes as a member of the Australian Government’s capacity building team in the transition of the Timor Sea Designated Authority into the Timor Leste National Petroleum Authority. His recent policy experience has involved duties under the Timor Sea Treaty and the Australia and Timor Leste International Unitisation Agreement relating to the Sunrise and Troubadour Fields. Rhys has a master of management from the Australian National University, as well as a bachelor of economics and a bachelor of international studies from the University of Adelaide. |
