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Allens Arthur Robinson has been involved with some of the leading players that have helped reform Australia's energy industry. Read about some of these landmark projects and the developments that are shaping the industry's future.
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- 28 July 2010
Focus: Energy efficiency: election promises and an updateLast week, the Gillard Government announced its election promises, including its intention to introduce various measures designed to promote energy efficiency in business and industry. In part one of this Focus Partner Chris Schulz and Lawyer Nadia Harrison outline policy announcements on coal-fired power stations, light vehicles and tax deductions for expenditure on commercial buildings. In part two theyprovide an update on the progress of the recently enacted energy efficiency disclosure regime for commercial buildings
- 26 July 2010
Client Update: New US disclosure law for resources companiesThe Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which makes many changes to US corporations law, was signed into law by US President Barack Obama on 21 July 2010. Partner Annette Hughes and Lawyer Swee Leng Harris look at the operation and effect of section 1504 of the Act and what the new disclosure requirements imposed by that section mean for resources companies
- 23 July 2010
Focus: Diversion rights in LNG sale and purchase agreementsAn important aspect of any liquefied natural gas sale and purchase agreement is the extent to which it allows parties to divert LNG cargoes from their original contract destination. Partner Darren Murphy and Senior Associate Alison Baxter consider such diversion rights in light of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators' model LNG sale and purchase agreement
- 21 July 2010
Focus: Personal property securities reforms and the mining and petroleum industriesThe far-reaching Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth) is due to come into force in May 2011 and businesses operating in the mining and petroleum sectors will be affected. It covers a wide range of transactions, not just security interests. It is not limited to consumer transactions, and significantly alters aspects of commercial law and contracts law. Partners David Maloney and Diccon Loxton report on how the changes will affect the mining and petroleum industries
- 06 July 2010
Focus: Changes to Renewable Energy Target scheme passedThe loss of momentum post-Copenhagen does not necessarily mean all carbon pollution reduction activity has stalled. Partner Anna Collyer and Law Graduate Natasha McNamara report on legislation that splits Australia's enhanced Renewable Energy Target scheme into separate large and small-scale schemes
- 05 July 2010
Audio: New regime for resources taxAfter weeks of debate and negotiation, the Federal Government has made significant changes to its proposed Resources Super Profits Tax. Partner Katrina Parkyn speaks to Boardroom Radio about the changes to the tax, now known as the Minerals Resource Rent Tax
- 15 June 2010
Audio: Petroleum tax lessons for RSPTWhile debate continues over the merits of a Resource Super Profits Tax, a similar tax placed on petroleum projects has been in place in Australia for more than two decades. Partner Grant Cathro speaks to Boardroom Radio about the lessons that can be learned from the construction and implementation of the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax
- 04 May 2010
Focus: Energy efficiency survives despite CPRS demiseWith last week's announcement by the Federal Government that the carbon pollution reduction scheme will not be introduced until at least 2013, regulatory initiatives designed to promote energy efficiency are likely to play an even greater role in Australian climate change policy.As part of our series on energy efficiency, we outline some recent developmentsin the building sector and the work of the Prime Minister's Task Group on Energy Efficiency
- 04 May 2010
Audio: Super Profits? RSPT implications for minersThe Henry Tax Review has outlined the need for a tax on super profits generated by mining and resources companies. Partner Grant Cathro speaks to Boardroom Radio about how the tax will work and the potential implications
- 22 April 2010
Focus: Extractives - further international reporting demandsThe United States Congress is currently considering legislation that will require extractives companies to report on the payments they make to foreign governments in the countries in which they operate. This development comes in the context of increasing international pressures for greater transparency and accountability in revenue flows to government received from the extractive industries. Partner Annette Hughes, Senior Associate Rachel Nicolson and Lawyer Dora Banyasz report
- 13 April 2010
Focus: Legislation to promote energy efficiencyNew legislation was introduced into Federal Parliament recently which, if passed, would impose energy related disclosure obligations on those offering to sell, lease or sub-lease office buildings of 2000m2 or more. This Focus is the first in a series on the Federal Government's policies to promote energy efficiency. Partner Chris Schulz and Lawyer Nadia Harrison report
- 06 April 2010
Audio: CSG water guidelines releasedThe Queensland Government has recently released guidelines and model conditions pertaining to the environmental aspects of coal seam water use from gas projects. Partner Bill McCredie speaks to Boardroom Radio about the new guidelines and the opportunities for the use of water stemming from coal seam gas projects
- 05 March 2010
Audio: Renewables industry applauds RET splitThe Federal Government has announced significant changes to the Renewable Energy Target scheme that will split the scheme into small and large project schemes. Partner Anna Collyer speaks to Boardroom Radio about the impact of these changes on large renewable energy projects and the Federal Government's renewable energy targets
- 02 March 2010
Client Update: Changes to Renewable Energy Target scheme announcedChanges to the Renewable Energy Target scheme announced by the Federal Government will help progress projects to develop wind, solar and geothermal energy that have been on hold. Partner Grant Anderson and Lawyer Nick Buttner report
- 02 March 2010
Audio: Projects boom for WA and QLDA rebounding economy and an influx of public and private funding is expected to fuel an upsurge in major projects activity. Partner and head of the Projects practice group Michael Hollingdale speaks to Boardroom Radio about the geographic areas and sectors expected to see the most project activity and the impact this will have on the funding and contracting for project delivery
- 20 November 2009
Client Update: Western Australia's Strategic Energy Initiative 2030Strategic Energy Initiative 2030, a discussion paper that aims to deliver a framework to secure Western Australia's long-term energy needs, has been released. Partner Angus Jones and Senior Associate Valeria Cooney report on the start of a challenging process
- 14 October 2009
Client Update: Committee reports on managing gas supply disruptions in WAThe WA Gas Supply and Emergency Management Committee has published its report to Government, which provides recommendations for managing future gas supply disruptions in WA and mitigating their impact. Partner Darren Murphy and Lawyer Robert French report.
- 12 October 2009
Focus: Smart grid report and draft guidelines releasedThe Federal Government has released a pre-deployment report and draft guidelines as the next step in Australia's first commercial-scale smart grid demonstration project. The Smart Grid, Smart City project will be implemented in partnership with the energy sector and is also likely to have important synergies with the roll-out of the national broadband network. Partner Ian McGill, Lawyer Valeska Bloch and Law Graduate Joel Barrett report
- 14 September 2009
Audio: Gorgon gas project and its implications for growth, the environment and carbon captureThe recent Federal Government decision to green light the massive Gorgon energy project may serve as a signpost for getting future resources projects off the ground around Australia as the global economy continues to recover. Partner Angus Jones speaks to Boardroom Radio about some of the implications coming out of the decision
- 21 August 2009
Focus: Expanded renewable energy target scheme legislation passedThe Senate has passed legislation to implement Australia's new expanded national renewable energy target scheme. Partner Grant Anderson and Lawyer Ben Strate report
- 20 August 2009
Client Update: Bold reforms proposed for WA approvals systemPartner Darren Murphy and Law Graduate Joseph Freeman report on the recently released review of the approvals processes for petroleum and mining projects in Western Australia
- 31 July 2009
Focus: Draft of short term trading market rules releasedThe exposure draft of the National Gas (Short Term Trading Market) Amendment Rules was released on 23 July. They will amend the National Gas Rules to provide for the operation of a short term trading market for gas, initially in Sydney and Adelaide, from mid-2010. Special Counsel Louise Thomson and Lawyer Jaclyn Godina look at the rules and the key features of the new market
- 07 July 2009
Focus: Senate standing committees report on CPRS legislation and US greenhouse legislation passes HouseThe Senate Standing Committee on Economics and the Senate Select Committee on Climate Policy have handed down their reports on the Federal Government's legislation to implement its proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. These reports reflect the seemingly entrenched views of political players who will determine the fate of the legislation when it is voted on in August, and underscore the likelihood that the Senate will not pass the legislation in its current form - at least this time around. We also look at the greenhouse gas legislation that has recently been passed by the US House of Representatives
- 03 July 2009
Focus: Regulations released on emissions-intensive trade-exposed industry assistance programThe Department of Climate Change has released draft regulations for public comment that set out the details of the emissions-intensive trade-exposed assistance program that is to form part of the Federal Government's proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. Partner Grant Anderson and Lawyer John Henderson report
- 25 May 2009
Focus: AEMO set to take controlThe Australian Energy Market Operator is set to become the market operator for electricity and gas markets in the eastern states. Special Counsel Louise Thomson and Law Graduate Lachlan Clancy report on the implementing legislation, which has recently been introduced into the South Australian Parliament
- 06 April 2009
Focus: Safety at WorkIn our quarterly Focus on safety at work, we look at the second report on harmonisation of occupational health and safety laws in Australia, the dangers for employers even if an occupational health and safety risk is not located on work premises, risk assessment and the Beaconsfield Gold Mine disaster, the s28(a) defence in NSW, and the high penalties attracted by a failure to manage well-known risks to safety at work.
- 03 April 2009
Client Update: Reducing red tape for Victoria's renewable energy projectsThe Victorian Environment and Natural Resources Committee has started the Inquiry into the Approvals Process for Renewable Energy Projects in Victoria, which aims to identify opportunities to reduce red tape. Partner Chris Schulz and Law Clerk Lisa Zhou report
- 17 February 2009
Focus: Encountering difficult geology... a force majeure event?In a judgment delivered on 9 February 2009, the Supreme Court of Queensland considered whether geology constitutes a force majeure event that can be relied on to vary a contractual obligation. Partner David Maloney and Overseas Practitioner Christine Hsieh report
- 30 September 2008
Client Update: Climate ChangeThe Garnaut Climate Change Review's Final Report, which was released today, contains no surprises but simply confirms many of the findings and recommendations made in the Review's previous reports. Partner Grant Anderson reports
- 08 September 2008
Focus: ResourcesThe Geothermal Reporting Code, the world's first uniform code to guide the public reporting of geothermal data, was released in August 2008 by the Australian Geothermal Energy Association and the Australian Geothermal Energy Group. In a further significant development, the Federal Government recently launched the Geothermal Drilling Program, through which $50 million will be allocated to support geothermal projects in Australia
- 05 September 2008
Client Update: Climate ChangeProfessor Ross Garnaut's Supplementary Draft Report released today proposes a 'soft approach' to emission reduction targets, with the development of a comprehensive international agreement being critical to Australia accepting increased targets. Partner Matthew Skinner and Senior Associate Suzanne Westgate report
- 24 July 2008
Focus: Climate ChangeFollowing on from our summary of the Federal Government's Green Paper on its proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme released on 16 July 2008, Partner Grant Anderson discusses in greater detail the proposals regarding the design of that Scheme
- 16 July 2008
Client Update: Climate ChangeOn 16 July 2008, the Minister for Climate Change and Water, Penny Wong, released a much-anticipated Green Paper that sets out the Federal Government's preferred model for Australia's proposed emissions trading scheme, to be known as the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. Allens Arthur Robinson's Climate Change Group provides initial commentary on the key reforms proposed in the Green Paper
- 11 July 2008
Focus: Climate ChangeOn 2 July 2008, Federal Climate Change Minister Penny Wong released a discussion paper canvassing two regulatory approaches for an expanded national renewable energy target scheme. Partner Grant Anderson, Senior Associate Robyn Glindemann and Lawyer Jessica Moir look at the discussion paper
- 08 July 2008
Focus: Climate ChangeFollowing on from his summary of the draft report of the Garnaut Climate Change Review released on 4 July 2008, Partner Grant Anderson discusses in greater detail some of the principal findings and recommendations of the draft report
- 04 July 2008
Client Update: Climate ChangeThe eagerly awaited draft report of the Garnaut Climate Change Review was released at lunchtime today. Partner Grant Anderson and Senior Associate Suzanne Westgate provide initial commentary on the findings of the draft report
- 03 July 2008
Client Update: EnvironmentA new Bill introduced into the Western Australian Parliament by the Greens attempts to set a greenhouse gas emissions intensity standard for new power stations in Western Australia. Senior Associate Valeria Cooney and Lawyer Lorna Creewel report
- 02 July 2008
Focus: Climate ChangeOn June 26, the Federal Climate Change Minister Penny Wong released the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Regulations 2008, providing important detail for companies who may be required to report under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme which commences on 1 July 2008. Partner Grant Anderson, Senior Associate Robyn Glindemann and Lawyer Jess Moir look at the new regulations
- 19 June 2008
Focus: EnergyThe National Gas (South Australia) Act 2008, introducing the long-awaited National Gas Law, is in the final stages of its passage through the South Australian Parliament and will commence on 1 July 2008. Special Counsel Louise Thomson and Articled Clerk Stephanie Salmon look at the key changes to the national gas access regime
- 30 May 2008
Focus: Climate ChangeThe Federal Government has released its long-awaited exposure draft of the Offshore Petroleum Amendments (Greenhouse Gas Storage) Bill 2008. The Bill's purpose is to establish the framework for access to offshore geological storage formations, and the creation of property rights for greenhouse gas injection and storage activities in Commonwealth offshore waters. The Federal Government has described the legislation as being 'world first', and its terms will be subject to international scrutiny
- 13 May 2008
Focus: WaterThe Economic Regulation Authority of Western Australia is conducting a range of inquiries into water regulation and licensing in Western Australia. Senior Associate Robyn Glindemann and Research Assistant Caroline Spencer take a look at the more significant reports
- 29 April 2008
Client Update: Climate ChangePartner Darren Murphy and Senior Associate Caitlin Westgarth report on the Federal Government's announcement to amend the Energy Efficiency Opportunities Regulations 2006 with effect from 1 July 2008 to avoid duplication with the reporting requirements under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting System
- 11 April 2008
Focus: Climate ChangeWhen the Federal Government implements the national emissions trading scheme (NETS), proposed to be in 2010, the New South Wales Greenhouse Gas Reduction Scheme (GGAS) will cease to operate. The NSW Government has released its long-awaited consultation paper on the possible transitional arrangements. Partner Andrew Mansour and Lawyer Andrew Daly outline the proposed transition options
- 26 March 2008
Focus: Climate ChangeProfessor Ross Garnaut has released his discussion paper on the design of an Australian emissions trading scheme. The proposals contained in the paper will be an important input into the design of the Federal Government's scheme and some of them are likely to engender vigorous debate. Partner Grant Anderson reports
- 19 March 2008
Focus: EnergyThe High Court of England and Wales recently considered whether a 'take or pay' provision is unenforceable because it is essentially a penalty. Although the final ruling maintained the status quo, it could have implications for Australian energy contracts which commonly use 'take or pay' clauses. Partner Angus Jones and Law Graduate Jackson Allen look at the case of M&J Polymer v Imerys Minerals
- 30 November 2007
Focus: EnergyThe Victorian Government recently introduced legislation into Parliament designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, encourage the efficient use of electricity and gas and encourage investment in technology that reduces energy use. The proposed legislation does this by requiring large energy retailers to acquire energy efficiency certificates that are generated by specified greenhouse gas reduction activities
- 26 October 2007
Focus: EnergyEarlier this month, the Ministerial Council on Energy released a regulatory impact statement as a step toward deciding whether to amend the National Electricity Law to require separate ownership of generation and transmission assets. Partner Grant Anderson and Articled Clerk Frances Dunn review the options under consideration
- 03 October 2007
Focus: EnergyThe High Court of Australia has held unanimously that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission had acted incorrectly and unreasonably in adopting its own methodology for determining the value of the Moomba-Sydney gas transmission pipeline. Partner David Maloney and Lawyer Andrew Daly consider the decision
- 25 July 2007
Client Update: EnergyOn 19 July, the Ministerial Council on Energy's Standing Committee of Officials released the second exposure drafts of the National Gas Law and National Gas Rules. Special Counsel Louise Thomson and Lawyer Damian Jacobs outline the key changes from the initial exposure drafts
- 09 July 2007
Focus: EnergyOn 1 July 2007, Western Power's amended access arrangement, setting out the terms and conditions under which Western Power will provide users and applicants with access to its South West Interconnected Network, came into effect. Senior Associate Valeria Cooney and Lawyer Alison Baxter outline the key aspects of the access arrangement
