9Criminal laws applicable in offshore areas in relation to exploration or exploitation of the continental shelf

##### 9 Criminal laws applicable in offshore areas in relation to exploration or exploitation of the continental shelf (1) Subject to this section, the provisions of the criminal laws in force in a State or Territory apply in the part of the adjacent area in relation to that State or Territory that is beyond the outer limits of the territorial sea of Australia and is not within the outer limits of the territorial sea adjacent to an external Territory and so apply as if that part of that area were part of that State or Territory. (2) Subject to subsection (3), the provisions referred to in subsection (1) apply by virtue of subsection (1) to and in relation to all acts, matters and things touching, concerning, arising out of or connected with the exploration of, or the exploitation of the resources of, the continental shelf of Australia or of an external Territory and not otherwise. (3) Without limiting the generality of subsection (2), the provisions referred to in subsection (1) apply by virtue of subsection (1) to and in relation to all acts committed by or in relation to, and all matters, circumstances and things affecting, any person who is in the adjacent area for a reason touching, concerning, arising out of or connected with the exploration of, or the exploitation of the resources of, the continental shelf of Australia or of an external Territory. (4) For the purposes of this section, the adjacent area, in relation to a State or Territory, has the same meaning as in the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967.