In the media

Simon is asked by the media for opinion and comment on a range of energy and resources issues.

• Investor sentiment in Australian renewables turns to the overwhelmingly positive! (pv magazine)
• Investor confidence renewed in renewables (ANZ, BlueNotes)

Education
LLB (Hons I), B.Com

• Member, Australian Mining and Petroleum Lawyers Association (Queensland Branch Secretary)
• Member, Queensland Resources Council (Deputy Chair Exploration and Tenure Group)
• Member, Australian Water AssociationMember, Queensland Law Society
• Member, The Law Society of England and Wales

• MEROLA 2020 structural changes to Queensland energy and resources law
  

  The MEROLA 2020 bill proposes significant structural changes to the operation of energy and resources legislation in Queensland.

   

• COVID-19: Relief for petroleum exploration companies in SA, WA and QLD
  

  To alleviate the impact of COVID-19 containment measures on petroleum companies, South Australia and Western Australia have announced measures to relieve expenditure and work obligations imposed by petroleum exploration licences.

• Are Australian companies facing a watershed on climate change?
  

  Banks and superannuation funds are driving a step-change in emissions reduction expectations. Today, we saw an announcement from one of Australia's Big 4 banks to significantly strengthen its ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across both operations and lending portfolios. What does this mean for Australian companies?

• Supply chain solutions for critical minerals
  

  Critical minerals are in demand as countries transition to renewables. But with only one supply chain, the future supply of critical minerals could be at risk. Findings from a recent workshop series shed light on what the regional solution may look like.

• Positive outlook for investing in Australian renewables
  

  What does 2021 hold for investors in Australian renewables? We ask 100 Australian and overseas investors in the renewable energy sector for their insights.

• Investor confidence soars in Australia's renewable energy
  

  Despite local challenges, market sentiment for the Australian renewables sector is returning to positive.

• The science is in – so what now? Implications of the new IPCC report for corporate and government decision-makers
  

  The IPCC has released its landmark 6th Assessment Report on the physical impacts of climate change. The report's findings are highly significant for both government and corporate decision-makers.

• Australian Government's Critical Minerals Development Program: applications close 20 February 2023
  

  Grant money can be spent on project activities that are undertaken post-exploration and before final investment decision; have at least $2 million in eligible expenditure; and are substantially undertaken in Australia.

• COVID-19: Relief for mining exploration companies in SA, WA and QLD
  

  The South Australian and Western Australian governments have announced measures to relieve expenditure and work obligations imposed by mining exploration licences. This is designed to help alleviate the impact of COVID-19 containment measures on mining companies.

• Investment outlook: Australian renewable energy sector
  

  Our new research indicates that Australia’s renewable energy sector is set to boom in the year ahead and global investors are waking up to the market’s abundant opportunities.

• Demurrage judgment welcome news for Australian exporters
  

  The 'Eternal Bliss' English Court of Appeal judgment is a welcome development for Australian commodity exporters with exposure to significant liability arising from delay during cargo operations

• Timber Creek: the most significant native title decision since Mabo
  

  In the Timber Creek decision delivered on 13 March 2019, the High Court of Australia has determined, for the first time, the approach to be taken to resolving native title compensation claims.

• Allison Warburton appointed as Commissioner, Australian Energy Market Commission
  

  AEMC Chairman John Pierce announced the appointment of Allison Warburton as a Commissioner to the Australian Energy Market Commission.

• COVID-19: Understanding new restrictions on FIFO mine workers
  

  New restrictions in Queensland will mean that anyone entering Queensland from another state or territory, who is not an exempt person, will need to self-quarantine for 14 days. What does this mean for FIFO mine workers?

• Anglo American achieves four mine disposals
  

  MinterEllison have acted for Anglo American to advise on the divestment of all of its Australian coal mining assets.

   

• Making Australia a major player in a global hydrogen industry
  

  A huge amount has happened across the hydrogen sector during 2019. The key developments at the Commonwealth and state and territory levels are summarised below.

• Renascor Resources on the critical minerals supply chain
  

  E&R Industry Insider: Partner Simon Scott spoke with David Christensen, Managing Director of Renascor Resources, at IMARC 2023 about navigating the challenges in Australia's critical minerals sector.

• Update on Safeguard Mechanism reforms
  

  In this update, we take you through the recent round of reforms to the Safeguard Mechanism and what they mean for regulated facilities.

   

• New lithium royalty regime commences in Western Australia
  

  On 27 March 2020, the Western Australian government introduced changes to the royalty regime for lithium minerals, introducing a 5% feedstock royalty rate for lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate.

• Six ways to protect the values of Indigenous cultural heritage
  

  Kestrel Coal share how they have collaborated with traditional owners to have shared reconciliation ambitions and to embed Indigenous heritage values into their operational processes.

   

• Renewable energy: will the election impact the reform agenda?
  

  The party that forms government following the federal election is expected to have a marked impact on the regulatory framework for the renewable energy sector in the short to medium term.

• Albemarle's US$1.3bn purchase of 60% of Wodgina lithium mine, and US$480m sale of 40% of Kemerton lithium hydroxide facility
  

  MinterEllison acted for Albemarle Corporation in relation to its US$1.3bn acquisition of a 60% interest in Mineral Resource Limited's Wodgina Lithium Project, sale of a 40% interest in part of the Kemerton lithium hydroxide facility and formation of the MARBL Lithium joint venture with Mineral Resources.

• Navigating climate dynamics: three key matters for energy & resources
  

  Climate change is a material and accelerating financial risk and opportunity. The energy and resources sector faces unique challenges in navigating this dynamic issue. We provide three key climate change and carbon matters that boards and executives in this sector should be considering.