Published Impact Analyses

On February 23 the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship announced changes to the temporary work (skilled) (subclass 457) visa sponsorship obligations. Further announcements were subsequently made. These measures seek to enhance the enforceability of worker protection reforms which came into effect on 14 September 2009. Since implementing the 2009 reforms, the Department for Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has been alerted to instances where subclass 457 sponsors may be circumventing the policy intent of these laws. These include instances where sponsored persons were not participating in their nominated occupation, program or activity, such as through engaging in certain on-hire or independent contracting arrangements.

On 8 March 2013, the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Bill Shorten, announced further reforms to the Fair Work Act following on from the recommendations of the Fair Work Act Review. These reforms relate to amendments to bargaining for greenfields agreements, right of entry provisions and allowing limited access to workplace determinations in certain circumstances where bargaining has become intractable. On 14 March 2013, the Prime Minister of Australia also announced amendments to the Fair Work Act which amend the modern awards objective so that the Fair Work Commission must consider the need to provide additional remuneration to certain employees.

On 21 May 2013, the Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus introduced changes to the Sex Discrimination Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status. The changes also extend the existing ground of ‘marital status’ to ‘marital or relationship status’ to provide protection from discrimination for same-sex de facto couples. The proposed changes will provide greater consistency in coverage for protection against sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status discrimination, and bridge gaps in existing Commonwealth legislation. The changes are also expected to lead to cultural change in Australia by sending a message regarding equality.

On 12 March 2013, the National Skills Standards Council released its position paper and consultation regulation impact statement (RIS) for its review of standards for the regulation of vocational education and training (VET) providers. The RIS examines amending the standards for VET providers to address problems in the sector that include inconsistent quality, lack of transparency and the need for greater flexibility. Some of the options for amending the standards for VET providers include having one national set of standards, increasing the minimum standards for providers and teachers, introducing licensing, publishing performance data and reducing regulatory burden on high performing providers. The consultation RIS was prepared by the Office of the National Skills Standards Council, and assessed as adequate by the Office of Best Practice Regulation.

On 12 March 2013, the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy announced a series of further reforms in relation to the Convergence Review. These reforms were in addition to the convergence review related reforms announced on 30 November 2012. The reforms announced on 12 March 2013 include the following regulatory measures.

On 7 March 2013, Animal Health Australia published a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) on the proposed animal welfare standards and guidelines for cattle. The proposed national standards and guidelines are expected to result in improved and nationally consistent rules for cattle care and management for all cattle farming businesses in Australia. The main problem underlying the development of the proposed national standards relates to risks to the welfare of cattle. This includes painful husbandry procedures such as castration, spaying, dehorning and tail docking.  The number of cattle that could be affected by current poor practices involving castration, spaying, dehorning and tail docking are potentially significant.

On 12 March 2013, the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities announced his intention to introduce amendments to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999 to require federal assessment and approval of coal seam gas and large coal mining developments which have a significant impact on a water resource. The proposed amendments apply to both new and existing proposals. A Regulation Impact Statement was required for this proposal, but the Prime Minister granted an exemption on the basis of exceptional circumstances.  A post-implementation review will be required within 1 to 2 years of its implementation.

On February 23 the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Brendan O’Connor announced seven changes to the temporary skilled work (subclass 457) visa program. A Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) was required for the first three of these changes, namely:

On 25 January 2013, COAG released a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) which outlines the potential for regulatory duplication between the Commonwealth governance and reporting standards under the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012 (the ACNC Act) and existing State and Territory requirements for charities. The ACNC Act sets outs the eligibility for a not-for-profit (NFP) entity to be registered as a charity, including governance standards and reporting requirements, in order to access Commonwealth tax concessions and for other purposes. State and Territory governments' legislation also sets out governance and reporting requirements for charities which adopt a particular legal form (namely incorporated associations and cooperatives and, to a lesser extent, charitable trusts).

On 7 March 2013, Animal Health Australia published a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) on the proposed animal welfare standards and guidelines for sheep. The proposed national standards and guidelines are expected to result in improved and nationally consistent rules for sheep care and management for all sheep farming businesses in Australia. The main problem underlying the development of the proposed national standards relates to risks to the welfare of sheep. Mulesing procedures and associated welfare impacts are of most concern, however other painful husbandry procedures discussed include tail docking, castration and laparoscopic artificial insemination. The number of sheep that could be affected by current poor practices in regards to mulesing, tail docking and castration are potentially significant. However, the extent of such practices is currently unknown.