(1) If a person applies under section 19AA for a renewal of a licence, the Minister must:
(a) subject to subsections (2) and (4), renew the licence by:
(i) giving the applicant written notice of the renewal; and
(ii) amending the licence as mentioned in subsection (5), if applicable; or
(b) refuse to renew the licence, by giving the applicant written notice of:
(i) the refusal; and
(ii) the reasons for the refusal.
Note: The effect of a renewal of a licence is to extend the period for which the licence is in force: see subparagraphs 19(2)(a)(ii) and (3)(a)(ii).
(2) Subsections 16(3A) to (6A) (about criteria) apply in relation to renewing the licence in the same way as those subsections apply in relation to granting a licence.
(3) In applying subsection (2), the Minister may take into account the Minister's previous consideration of the matters mentioned in subsections 16(3A) to (6A) in relation to granting or renewing the licence.
Licences in force for a specified period
(4) The Minister must not renew an essential uses licence, or a used substances licence, that specifies a period for the purposes of paragraph 19(2)(b).
Note 1: Paragraph 19(2)(b) allows a licence to specify a period, shorter than a licence period, during which the licence stays in force.
Note 2: The Minister may amend the specified period under section 19C at the request of the licensee.
(5) If the Minister renews an equipment licence that specifies a period or method for the purposes of paragraph 19(3)(b), the Minister must amend the licence to:
(a) remove the specification; or
(b) specify a period, or a method for ascertaining a period, that ends within 2 years after the time the licence would have ended apart from the renewal.
Note: Paragraph 19(3)(b) allows a licence to specify a period, or a method for ascertaining a period, shorter than 2 years, during which the licence stays in force.