STREAMLINING the processes for obtaining regulatory approvals in Australia’s oil and gas sector is required if the nation’s valuable energy resources are to be developed in the most expedient manner, according to the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association.
Operating throughout Australia’s onshore and offshore jurisdictions, the oil and gas industry APPEA’s industry strategy, Platform for Prosperity, released earlier this year, identified numerous levels of regulatory duplication in the approvals process for the development of Australia’s energy resources.
APPEA said it was pleased to note that the Productivity Commission’s ‘Annual Review of Regulatory Burdens: Primary Sector’, released on 18 December, confirmed the industry’s findings.
Welcoming the Productivity Commission study APPEA believes the report, to be published annually, can assist by identifying areas of duplication and helping governments to eliminate them.
The report highlights the need for further streamlining and coordination of regulatory approvals to allow the efficient and most expedient development of Australia’s oil and gas resources.
The Productivity Commission report can be downloaded from: www.pc.gov.au.
appea@appea.com.au