Published Impact Analyses

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.

On 17 October 2012, legislation was introduced in the NSW Parliament to enact the national law relating to electronic conveyancing.  The national law for electronic conveyancing establishes a nationally consistent scheme to enable the transfer of property and other related transactions to occur electronically. While participation in the electronic conveyancing scheme is voluntary a high percentage of businesses are likely to take up the scheme. Under the COAG requirements a Regulation Impact Statement (RIS), assessed as adequate by the Office of Best Practice Regulation (OBPR) is prepared for the consultation stage, and for the decision stage.  A consultation RIS was prepared and assessed as adequate.

On 11 February 2013, the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport announced that the Australian Government is introducing a suite of new aviation licensing regulations for flight crew licensing, flight training and flight checking.  The new regulations improve Australia’s alignment with the International Civil Aviation Organization standards and recommended practices such as: strengthening licensing and training requirements for personnel flying passenger services; improving standards for training organisations and better aligning training with modern vocational education requirements; and addressing Australian Transport Safety Bureau requirements regarding low-level flying and night time visual flying.  The improved international recognition of Australia’s flight crew licences will also assist in attracting international students to study in Australia.

The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations announced amendments to the Fair Work Act through four media releases on 11,12,13 and 14 February 2013. The proposed changes are intended to help families to balance work and family life and help employees to address workplace bullying. The measures will have the effect of:

On 17 February 2013, the Minister for Industry and Innovation released the Australian Government’s Industry and Innovation Statement. This statement included several measures intended to support Australian suppliers increase their participation in large construction projects, such as mines. The measures that have regulatory impacts on business include the requirements that: