The Mining and Petroleum Legislation Amendment Bill 2014 (Bill) has passed

The Mining and Petroleum Legislation Amendment Bill 2014 (Bill) has passed both Houses of Parliament. The Bill applies to applications pending at the date of assent and the Bill is currently awaiting assent.

The dramatic changes to be implemented by this Act were considered in our earlier update on the Bill. These include:

New "fit and proper person" test

The introduction of a new "fit and proper person" test to the applicant for authorities dealings (applications to grant, transfer, renew, restrict operations at or cancel an authority).

Importantly, to meet the new fit and proper person test under s 380A(2)(c), the applicant's status of compliance with "relevant legislation" has to be satisfactory to the decision maker.