Published Impact Analyses

The Governance Forum on Consumer Affairs (formerly the Ministerial Council on Consumer Affairs) has agreed to adopt the Co-operatives National Law (CNL). In 2007, state and territory governments agreed to implement nationally uniform legislation for co-operatives, to address inconsistent state and territory legislation and competitive disadvantages that exist in comparison to entities operating under the Corporations Act 2001.  The objectives of the CNL are to ensure that there are no competitive advantages or disadvantages for co-operatives when compared to corporations by providing:

On 9 February 2012, the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, announced that competition limits will be imposed on the upcoming auction of spectrum in the 700 MHz and the 2.5 GHz bands. This part of the spectrum is seen as very important for the future growth of mobile communications services in Australia. The limits are aimed at preventing the monopolisation of this spectrum by one party – a situation that could lessen competition in the mobile communications market. A Regulation Impact Statement was prepared by the Department of Broadband, Communications and Digital Economy and was assessed as adequate by the Office of Best Practice Regulation.

On 8 December 2011, the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) informed stakeholders of the decision to revise the National Construction Code to reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls in residential buildings. The decisions made by the board include requiring:

On 21 January 2012, the Prime Minister; the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs; the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy and the Minister for Financial Services jointly announced the Government’s plan to tackle problem gambling. Of the regulatory measures announced, the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (DBCDE) has responsibility for

On 21 January 2012, the Prime Minister; the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs; the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy and the Minister for Financial Services jointly announced the Government’s plan to tackle problem gambling. Of the regulatory measures announced, the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs has responsibility for

On 16 December 2011 the Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation announced changes to the prospective tax treatment of foreign managed funds invested in Australian securities.  These changes are in addition to two previous changes.  The first, announced on 17 December 2010, addressed the uncertainties arising from tax positions dating from the inception of many foreign managed funds active in Australia.  The second, announced on 19 January 2011, was in regard to the income tax applicable to foreign funds that use an Australian financial intermediary.

On 4 November 2011, the Standing Council on Transport and Infrastructure agreed to implement the Heavy Vehicle National Law. It is the next step in the national heavy vehicle reform program, following on from the decision to create the Heavy Vehicle National Regulator. At the direction of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG), the Heavy Vehicle National Law is based on the existing ‘model laws’ developed by the National Transport Commission and the states and territories. This initiative aims to enhance national consistency, which should benefit interstate operators by reducing compliance costs. It also introduces new elements to assist the functioning of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, such as processes for decision making and review. The Decision Regulation Impact Statement was prepared by the National Transport Commission and assessed as adequate by the Office of Best Practice Regulation.

On 23 September 2011, the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations announced a decision to introduce a new Tuition Protection Service and other related measures. The Tuition Protection Service is a single mechanism to place international students when an education provider closes, or as a last resort, to provide refunds of unexpended course fees. A number of complementary initiatives are also being introduced including:

On 13 December, the Minister for Home Affairs and Justice announced laws to reduce the number of dangerous weapons, particularly knives, entering Australia. The regulations were a Government election commitment to introduce controls to combat weapons-related crime and will align border laws with existing state and territory regulations. Knuckle dusters, ballistic or ‘firing’ knives, flick knives, butterfly knives, hand or foot claws and weighted gloves will be banned from import unless the importer can prove that they have legitimate use. Existing import requirements will be streamlined for lower-risk weapons and importers will need to be authorised by the relevant state or territory police to possess the weapon in their jurisdiction.