The Government has today released its final response to three reports designed to improve the safety of Australia's offshore petroleum industry.
Speaking at the 2010 South East Asia Australia Offshore Conference in Darwin, the Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson AM MP, underlined the importance of prioritising safety in an industry that is increasingly vital to regional energy security and Australia's export earnings.
"The Government is committed to making our offshore petroleum industry among the best and safest in the world," Minister Ferguson said.
"The safety of people, the integrity of facilities and the protection of the environment must always be top of mind. Jobs and prosperity for the next generation of Australians depend on it.
"The Government's final response follows valued contributions and feedback from industry and other stakeholders on the draft responses released earlier this year.
"We support the majority of the recommendations and findings stemming from the three reports.
"Co-operation underpins every measure we take. Working together, I am confident that we can reduce the number and severity of safety lapses and hydrocarbon releases."
The reports stem from: the 2009 Offshore Petroleum Safety Regulatory Inquiry - Marine Issues; the 2009 Offshore Petroleum Safety Regulatory Inquiry - Best Practice and the Effectiveness of NOPSA; and the 2008 Review of NOPSA Operational Activities.
In total the three reports comprised 34 recommendations and 16 findings, revealing some consistent themes including the need for clarity regarding the framework and coverage of the legislation and regulations, and administrative and operating policies and practices of NOPSA.
The Government has already taken steps on the recommendations and findings to clarify the framework and coverage of the offshore safety legislation and regulations, including to provide NOPSA with power to regulate non-OHS structural integrity matters and addressing health and safety issues arising from the rapid growth in the industry and the incorporation of new and often large-scale technologies.
Full details of the Government's final response are available at www.ret.gov.au.