17Offshore areas

#### 17 Offshore areas (1) Subject to subsection (2), this Act applies in relation to the offshore areas in respect of the States and Territories as if references in this Act to Australia, when used in a geographical sense, included references to the offshore areas in respect of the States and Territories. (2) The extended application given to this Act by subsection (1) extends only in relation to: (a) acts, matters and things directly or indirectly connected with exploration of, or exploitation of the resources of, the continental shelf of Australia or of an external Territory; and (b) acts done by or in relation to, and matters, circumstances and things affecting, or any person who is in offshore area for a reason directly or indirectly connected with such exploration or exploitation. (3) In this section: > offshore area, in relation to a State or Territory, has the same meaning as in the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006.