OFFSHORE MINERALS ACT 1994 - SECT 396 Costs incurred by Designated Authority in taking action under section 395

OFFSHORE MINERALS ACT 1994 - SECT 396

  (1)   If:

  (a)   the Designated Authority takes action under section   395 in relation to a compliance direction given to a licence holder or special purpose consent holder; and

  (b)   the direction does not extend to an associate of the holder;

the costs and expenses incurred by the Designated Authority in taking that action are a debt due to the Commonwealth by the holder.

  (2)   If:

  (a)   a compliance direction specifies that a particular associate of a licence holder or special purpose consent holder is subject to a particular obligation; and

  (b)   the Designated Authority takes action under section   395 in relation to that obligation;

the costs and expenses incurred by the Designated Authority in taking that action are a debt due to the Commonwealth by the holder and the associate.

  (3)   The associate and the holder are jointly and severally liable to pay the debt arising under subsection   ( 2).

  (4)   A debt under this section is recoverable in a court of competent jurisdiction.