Water Industry Competition Act 2006

A licence may be surrendered with the consent of the Minister.

The Minister must consent to the surrender of a licence unless otherwise required under this section.

If, on application for consent to the surrender of a licence, the Minister is satisfied further steps are necessary for the protection of public health or safety, the environment or small retail customers, the Minister—

must not consent to the surrender of the licence, and

must impose further licence conditions the Minister considers appropriate for the protection of public health or safety, the environment or small retail customers, as applicable (protection conditions).

The Minister may consent to the surrender of the licence referred to in subsection (3) on the licensee satisfying the Minister that the protection conditions have been fulfilled or satisfactory arrangements have been made for their fulfilment.

If the licensee provides an essential service under the licence, the Minister must not consent to the surrender of the licence unless the Minister is satisfied satisfactory arrangements are in place for the continued provision of the service.