Petroleum Products Amendment Bill & Petroleum Pipelines Bill: adoption

Meeting report

ECONOMICS AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS SELECT COMMITTEE
7 October 2003
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AMENDMENT BILL & PETROLEUM PIPELINES BILL: ADOPTION

Chairperson: Mr Tolo (ANC)

Documents handed out:
Department of Minerals and Energy presentation
Petroleum Products Amendment Bill [B25B-2003]
Petroleum Pipelines Bill [B22B-2003]

SUMMARY
Members were briefed on the latest developments in the Petroleum Products Amendment Bill & Petroleum Pipelines Bill. There were only two changes made to the legislation since their last briefing. The Bills were both adopted.

MINUTES
Mr Gumede (Chief Director: Hydrocarbons) shortly briefed members on the two pieces of legislation to refresh their minds.

Petroleum Pipelines Bill
Mr Durr (ACDP) enquired after the cost effectiveness of the regulator. He wondered whether it was really a full time job for five people and to whom they report.

Mr Gumede explained that it would be a full time job as these five people would also regulate the electricity and gas industries. The regulator would be independent and reporting to parliament.

The chairperson read out the motion of desirability and the members agreed on it.

Petroleum Products Amendment Bill
Mr Durr asked whether the proposed amendment to section 2B (6) would not infringe on some of South Africa's trade agreements. He proposed replacing "when such petroleum products are available in South Africa" with "locally manufactured"

Mr Gumede replied that they have looked at this issue and if the legislation read "locally manufactured" they would be infringing on international trade obligations.
The chairperson read out the motion of desirability and members agreed on it.

The meeting was adjourned.