19APublic consultation before tender invitation—exploration permits

19A Public consultation before tender invitation—exploration permits (1) If the Minister proposes to invite applications for an exploration permit under section 19(1), the Minister must publish notice of the proposed invitation on an Internet site maintained by the Department. (a) contain a description of the area to which the proposed exploration permit is to apply; and (b) state that any person may make a written submission to the Minister about the proposed invitation; and (c) specify the period during which submissions may be made to the Minister (the ***submission period***). (3) In determining whether to invite applications for the exploration permit, the Minister must take into account any written submission received during the submission period. (4) A decision to grant an exploration permit is not invalid merely because of a failure to comply with subsection (3).