9ACriminal laws applicable in Area A of the Zone of Cooperation

##### 9A Criminal laws applicable in Area A of the Zone of Cooperation (1) Subject to this section, the criminal laws in force in the Northern Territory apply to any act done in Area A of the Zone of Cooperation that touches, concerns, is connected with or arises out of the exploration for, or exploitation of, petroleum resources as if the act had been done in the Northern Territory. (2) This section does not apply to: (a) an act done on or from a ship or aircraft; or (b) an act done by a national of East Timor who is not also a national of Australia; or (c) an act done by a permanent resident of East Timor who is not a national of Australia. (3) Proceedings for an offence against a law applied by subsection (1) may not be instituted against a person if: (a) in proceedings for an offence against a law in force in East Timor arising out of the same act or omission, the person has been acquitted or discharged without the imposition of a penalty; or (b) the person has incurred a penalty under a law in force in East Timor for such an offence; or (c) a competent authority of East Timor has decided not to prosecute the person for such an offence. (4) Proceedings for an offence against a law applied by subsection (1) may not be heard or determined without the written consent of the Attorney‑General. (5) Subsections 7(8), (9) and (10) apply in relation to a consent given by the Attorney‑General under subsection (4) of this section as if it were a consent given under subsection 7(5). (6) In this section: > petroleum has the same meaning as in the Treaty set out in Schedule 1 to the Petroleum (Timor Gap Zone of Cooperation) Act 1990.