What this meant for DMP’s business activities in 2016–17
In light of these challenging economic conditions, as well as changing environmental and social expectations, the department focused on a transparent and open approach to engaging with stakeholders and providing a clear and consistent regulatory environment for industry. It has also focused on maintaining Western Australia’s investment attractiveness.
Clear and consistent regulatory frameworks
In 2016–17, DMP introduced legislative reform to reduce red tape and improve the regulatory framework.
Work continued on the resources safety legislation reform process. Drafting of the Work Health and Safety (Resources and Major Hazards) Bill commenced in February 2016, to modernise and amalgamate health and safety legislation covering mining, petroleum and major hazard facilities. Drafting of the Bill was incomplete when Parliament was prorogued for the March 2017 election.
During 2016, the department completed extensive stakeholder consultation on key concepts for the supporting regulations through workshops and regulatory impact statement processes.
DMP has commenced a major legislation reform initiative Petroleum 2020 to modernise and streamline the State’s petroleum and geothermal legislation to better reflect developments in the petroleum industry.
The primary focus of the Petroleum 2020 project is to amalgamate the current three main Petroleum Acts and the two Registration Fees Acts into a single common ‘Petroleum Act’ to cover all petroleum and geothermal operations conducted in Western Australia out to the Commonwealth/State boundary.
On 6 February 2017, a Scoping Paper for the Petroleum 2020 Project was circulated to key industry representative bodies and Commonwealth and WA Government stakeholders. Feedback received is currently being considered in preparing a detailed Discussion Paper, which is intended to be widely circulated.
Amendments to the Mining Act 1978, which came into effect after Royal Assent was given to the Licensing Provisions Amendment Bill 2015 on 1 December 2016, reduce red tape to save industry and the State Government time and money. The removal of iron ore authorisations normalises the treatment of iron ore and creates a level playing field.
The Standing Committee on Legislation released Report 31 on the Mining Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 in May 2016. Work was undertaken during 2016–17 in response to the Report and as part of ongoing monitoring of the legislation. The Bill lapsed when the Parliament was dissolved in early 2017. The intent of the Mining Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 is to provide a legislative structure for a risk-based and outcomes-focused approach to environmental regulation of the mining industry. The Bill aims to ensure environmental regulation is ‘fit for purpose’ through targeted and proportional regulation. Work has recommenced on preparing the legislation for Government consideration.