Summary

Following the commencement of the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act 2021, the bill amends the: Customs Act 1901 to: treat offshore electricity installations within the Commonwealth offshore area as Australian territory; require the approval of the Comptroller-General of Customs to attach overseas offshore electricity installations in the Commonwealth offshore area, and to use offshore electricity installations attached in the Commonwealth offshore area where they are subject to customs control; extend forfeiture provisions for unlawfully attaching overseas offshore electricity installations; clarify the times at which offshore electricity installations, and the goods on these installations, can be imported to, and exported from, Australia; require Australian Border Force (ABF) approval for ships or aircraft to arrive at offshore electricity installations; prohibit direct journeys between external places and offshore electricity installations and transfers between ships or aircraft in close proximity to offshore electricity installations; enable ABF officers to board and search offshore electricity installations, as well as question and search persons on an installation in certain circumstances; require the owner of an offshore electricity installation to facilitate boarding by authorised persons; and prohibit the removal of customs seals or similar marks placed by customs officials on offshore electricity installations; and Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act 2021 to make minor administrative amendments.