Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy) Share this | Hansard source

The Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) The Northern Territory Government has responsibility for the granting and maintenance of exploration licences and mining titles in the Northern Territory, including the Arnhem coastal region. In addition, the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism manages, on behalf of the Australian Government, the annual release of offshore acreage for petroleum exploration. If more specific information was provided about the applications of concern (e.g., date of publication and newspaper), the department could more effectively respond.

(2) As per response (1).

(3) Nil response, given (1) and (2).

(4) No, as per response (1).