The Productivity Commission has released an issues paper on Mineral and Energy Resource Exploration as part of its inquiry into the non-financial barriers to mineral and energy resource exploration in Australia.

 

The inquiry will examine the exploration approval systems and processes within and across jurisdictions to assess their effectiveness and efficiency, and examine the costs associated with the regulation of exploration activities.

 

The inquiry has its origins in the Policy Transition Group’s (PTG) report to the Australian Government on technical design elements of resources taxation reforms.

 

Initial submissions are due by Friday 15 March 2013. Opportunity for further comment will be sought upon release of the draft report, which is expected to be released end of May 2013.

 

The issues paper is available here.