SA Mineral and Energy Licence Holders Must Get Approval for Changes in Control or Face Fines up to $16.5 Million

Statutes Amendment (Energy and Mining Reforms) Bill 2026

6 May 2026: MPs in the first house are debating whether this bill is a good idea in principle.

House of Assembly

Legislative Council

Assent

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Previously introduced as:

Topics

criminal penalties energy licences energy resources environmental protection hydrogen energy land management licence control mining renewable energy

Introduced by: The Hon Tom Koutsantonis MP (ALP)

Links to official parliament websites

Official page: progress through parliament

Official page: bill text and explanatory notes

Effects of this bill

If this bill passes, it means that:

Licence holders must follow new processes to get approval for a change in control.
People who take or give up control of a mineral tenement holder must get approval from the Energy Minister. If they don't, or if the approval expires, they can be fined up to $16.5 million.
Mineral tenement holders must tell the Energy Minister within 30 days if there is an unapproved change in control. If they fail to do this, they can be fined up to $16.5 million.
Mineral tenement holders and hydrogen or renewable energy licence holders can be fined up to $16.5 million if they break the rules set by the Energy Minister when approving a change in control.
The Energy Minister can take away a mineral tenement or a hydrogen or renewable energy licence and give it back to the Crown. This happens if the holder seriously breaks the law, damages the environment, or fails to do the required work.
Forfeited licences can now be transferred to new parties.
Hydrogen and renewable energy licence holders cannot claim compensation if their licence is transferred or taken away under specific rules.
Fines for certain offences under the Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act 2023 jump from $250,000 to $16.5 million.

The Debate

What different members said when this bill was debated:

Nicola Centofanti LIB

“I rise to speak on the Statutes Amendment (Energy and Mining Reforms) Bill 2025. This is a significant bill that amends the Energy Resources Act 2000, the Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act 2023 and, most substantially, the Mining Act 1971. This bill is presented by the Labor government as a step towards modernising South Australia’s resources legislation.”

Official source →

Kyam Maher ALP

“Thank you for your protection, sir. This chamber for some time has been a very congenial place, but lately, I tell you—I thank honourable members for their contribution on this important bill and look forward to the committee stage. Bill read a second time.”

Official source →