4Application of Act

#### 4 Application of Act (1) This Act extends to every external Territory and, except so far as the contrary intention appears, to acts, omissions, matters and things outside Australia, whether or not in a foreign country. (2) To the extent that a provision of this Act has effect in and in relation to any place or matters outside Australia, that provision applies only in relation to: (a) Australian aircraft and Australian vessels; and (b) an act, matter or thing to which this Act, in its application by virtue of subsection (3), applies. (3) The provisions of this Act apply in relation to the adjacent areas in respect of the States and Territories as if the adjacent areas were part of Australia. (4) The application of the provisions of this Act in relation to the adjacent areas in respect of the States and Territories by virtue of subsection (3) extends 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, subject to subsection (2), not otherwise. (5) Without limiting the generality of subsection (4), the application of the provisions of this Act in relation to the adjacent areas in respect of the States and Territories by virtue of subsection (3) extends to and in relation to all acts done by or in relation to, and all matters, circumstances and things affecting, any person who is in the adjacent area in respect of a State or Territory 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. (6) In this section: > adjacent area, in relation to a State or Territory, has the same meaning as in the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967, but does not include an area that is within Australia. > State does not include the Northern Territory. > Territory includes the Northern Territory.