26Determination of coverage applications by Minister

#### 26 Determination of coverage applications by Minister 26 Determination of coverage applications by Minister > > (1) The Minister must determine a coverage application— > > > > > (a) if satisfied— > > > > > > > (i) that all of the declaration criteria are met in relation to the service to which the application relates, and > > > > > > > (ii) that the service is not the subject of a binding non-coverage declaration or an access undertaking, > > > > > > by making a coverage declaration in relation to the service, or > > > > > (b) if not so satisfied, by refusing to make such a declaration. > > > (2) The Minister must consider, but is not bound to accept, any advice or recommendation in IPART’s report on the application and may, if circumstances so require, seek further advice from IPART in relation to the application. > > > (3) A coverage declaration need not be in the terms sought by the coverage application, and may apply to a greater or lesser extent than that so sought. > > > (4) The Minister must use his or her best endeavours to ensure that a decision on a coverage application is made within 6 months after the date on which the application was lodged with IPART. > > > (5) On making a decision under this section, the Minister must cause notice of the decision, and of the reasons for the decision, to be given to IPART. > > > (6) On receiving such notice, IPART must cause the information contained in the notice, together with its report on the coverage application, to be made available to the public on IPART’s internet website.