Summary

Introduced with the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure (Regulatory Levies) Bill 2021 to facilitate and regulate the development of electricity infrastructure in Commonwealth waters, the bill: prohibits offshore renewable energy infrastructure and offshore electricity transmission infrastructure in the Commonwealth offshore area without a licence; provides for the minister to declare specified areas suitable for offshore infrastructure activities and to grant licences allowing proponents to undertake offshore infrastructure activities in specified areas; provides for safety and protection zones to protect offshore electricity infrastructure; establishes the Offshore Infrastructure Registrar to administer the licensing scheme, including maintaining a register of licences and managing the licence application process; identifies the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority as the Offshore Infrastructure Regulator with work health and safety, environmental management, infrastructure integrity and regulatory functions; provides for directions, compliance and enforcement powers; and provides for the protection of worker safety through modified application of the