Commonwealth Numbered Acts

OFFSHORE MINERALS ACT 1994 No. 28, 1994 - SECT 18

18.(1) Subject to subsection (3), the Joint Authority for a
Commonwealth-State offshore area may declare that a block in the offshore area
is a reserved block. Note 1: A reserved block may be put up for tender by a
Joint Authority publishing in the Gazette a tender block licence notice (see
sections 74 and 218). Note 2: Paragraph 23(b) of the
Acts Interpretation Act 1901 allows a single declaration under this subsection
to be made in respect of 2 or more blocks.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), the responsible Commonwealth Minister may
declare that a block in an external territory offshore area is a reserved
block. Note 1: A reserved block may be put up for tender by the responsible
Commonwealth Minister publishing in the Gazette a tender block licence notice
(see sections 74 and 218). Note 2: Paragraph 23(b) of the
Acts Interpretation Act 1901 allows a single declaration under this subsection
to be made in respect of 2 or more blocks.

(3) A declaration under subsection (1) or (2) must not be made in relation to
a block if:

   (a)  a licence over that block is in force; or

   (b)  an application for a licence over that block has been made and has not
        been determined.

(4) A declaration under subsection (1) or (2) must be made by notice published
in the Gazette.