Published Impact Analyses

Department/Agency

Australian Building Codes Board

Problem being addressed

In 2019-20, the ABCB commenced a regulatory impact analysis to determine whether the permissible lead content in plumbing products in contact with drinking water should be reduced. This followed a number of highly publicised instances of lead leaching from copper alloy plumbing products in contact with drinking water in excess of the levels permitted by AS/NZS 4020 ‘Testing of products for use in contact with drinking water’.

Announcement date

15 July 2021

Problem being addressed

Agency

National Transport Commission

Announcement date

20 November 2020

Announcement

https://www.ntc.gov.au/transport-reform/ntc-projects/Barriers-to-the-safe-use-of-innovative-vehicles-and-motorised-mobility-devices

Agency

National Transport Commission

Announcement date

20 November 2020

Announcement

https://www.ntc.gov.au/transport-reform/ntc-projects/driver-distraction

Department/Agency

Australian Energy Market Commission

Problem being addressed

There is a need for clarification of the application of National Electricity Rules (NER) requirements where multiple proponents are connected to the same dedicated connection asset (DCA).

Regulation Impact Statement – Department of the Treasury

On 24 June 2021, the Governor-General of Australia made new regulations empowering the Commissioner of the Australian Charities and Not‑for‑profits Commission (ACNC) to investigate registered charities engaging in or actively promoting serious unlawful activities.

Duties for Australian Charities, and indirectly for responsible persons, are set out in the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Regulation 2013 (the ACNC Regulations). These governance standards require a registered charity to remain charitable, operate lawfully, and be run in an accountable and responsible way.

Announcement date:

24 June 2021

Announcement:

https://www.aemc.gov.au/rule-changes/generator-registrations-and-connections

Problem being addressed:

The Australian Energy Council’s (AEC) rule change request sought to increase the participation of smaller generators in central dispatch to enable improved management of the power system and the efficient operation of the market, and to increase transparency in the Australian Energy Market Operator’s (AEMO) process for granting exemptions from being registered as a scheduled or non-scheduled generator.

On 8 June 2021, the Australian Information Commissioner made the Data-Matching Program (Assistance and Tax) Rules 2021 (Rules) under the Data-Matching Program (Assistance and Tax) Act 1990. The Rules replaced the Data-matching Program (Assistance and Tax) Act 1990 – Guidelines 1994 (Guidelines), which were due to sunset on 1 October 2021, with only minor amendments. The new Rules will now sunset on 1 October 2031.

Consistent with Government’s Regulation Impact Statement requirements for sunsetting instruments, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, after consultation with stakeholders, assessed the Guidelines as operating effectively and efficiently. Therefore, a Regulation Impact Statement was not required for making the Rules.

Problem being addressed:

The Australian Energy Council’s (AEC) rule change request sought to increase the participation of smaller generators in central dispatch to enable improved management of the power system and the efficient operation of the market, and to increase transparency in the Australian Energy Market Operator’s (AEMO) process for granting exemptions from being registered as a scheduled or non-scheduled generator.

On 26 May 2021, the Australian Government introduced the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Amendment (Titles Administration and Other Measures) Bill 2021 and the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Regulatory Levies) Amendment Bill 2021 into Parliament.

As Australia’s oil and gas industry matures, there are an increasing number of projects and assets reaching end of life in the next 30 years, with an estimated decommissioning liability of A$60 billion. The regulatory framework and the posture of the regulator, will need adapt to meet the changing needs of the offshore industry, which is beginning to focus on mid-to-end of life activities, while also remaining attractive to encourage new investment in the regime.

A RIS, considering three options, was prepared to support the Australian Government in approaching this problem. The options considered were: