Published Impact Analyses

Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment

On 1 September 2021, the Government introduced the Biosecurity Amendment (Enhanced Risk Management) Bill 2021 into Parliament.

The Bill will enhance the operation of the biosecurity framework to strengthen the management of human health risks across maritime and aviation pathways, improve the efficiency and effectiveness of administration, and increase a range of civil and criminal penalties.

Amendments to the Biosecurity Act will provide for human biosecurity group directions to be made to manage the risk posed by classes of people who have, or may have been exposed to, a listed human disease such as COVID-19, and have travelled to Australia, such as passengers on board a cruise ship.

Commonwealth-State Regulation Impact Statement – Department of Health

On 20 July 2021, the Gene Technology Ministers’ Meeting (GTMM), considered a Decision Regulation Impact Statement (Decision RIS) and endorsed the preferred option to address key recommendations of the Third Review of the National Gene Technology Scheme.

The RIS assessed options for delivering a more flexible, streamlined and risk-based regulatory process that future-proofs the Scheme, enables efficiencies, and relieves regulatory burden.

On 2 September 2021, the Governor General remade the Sydney Harbour Trust Regulations 2001 that were due to sunset on 1 October 2021. The regulations will now sunset on 1 October 2031.

Consistent with Government’s Regulation Impact Statement requirements for sunsetting instruments, the Sydney Harbour Trust Federation, after consultation with stakeholders, assessed the Guidelines as operating effectively and efficiently. Therefore, a Regulation Impact Statement was not required for making the Regulations.

Independent Review – Australian Prudential Regulation Authority

On 27 August 2021, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) announced a revised prudential standard for remuneration, CPS 511.

The new prudential standard for remuneration lifts minimum standards of practice by enhancing board oversight, increasing the use of non-financial measures in remuneration design and ensuring there are appropriate financial consequences for poor risk management. The standard takes a risk-based and proportionate approach with more comprehensive requirements for larger and more complex regulated entities.

Independent Review – Department of the Treasury

On 16 December 2019, the Government announced the introduction of a sharing economy reporting regime (p.167) to increase the transparency of payments made via platforms and help to ensure sellers are meeting their tax obligations.  

Department/Agency

Australian Energy Market Commission

Problem being addressed

The electricity distribution networks in Australia are approaching the limit of their basic level of capacity to support additional exports from distributed energy resources (primarily household solar systems) and the ability of networks to transport electricity safely, securely and reliably is being challenged. Without change, it is likely consumers would face growing limitations to the amount of energy they could export.

Problem being addressed

Agency

Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications

Announcement date

Monday 9 August 2021

Problem being addressed

Remaking of Sunsetting Instrument without Significant Amendments – Department of the Treasury

On 23 July 2021, the Governor General remade with only minor amendments the Retail Grocery Industry (Unit Pricing) Code of Conduct (the Code). The Trade Practices (Industry Codes – Unit Pricing) Regulations 2009 containing the Code were due to sunset on 1 October 2021. The newly remade (and renamed) Competition and Consumer (Industry Codes—Unit Pricing) Regulations 2021 (the Regulations) commence on 1 October 2021 and will sunset on 1 October 2031.

Agency

Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications

Problem being addressed

The Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Regulations 1989 were due to sunset on 1 April 2022. They were assessed as operating effectively and efficiently and have been remade.

Proposal