Published impact analyses for decisions announced by the Australian Government, ministerial forums and national standard setting bodies.
COAG Decision Regulation Impact Statement – Australian Energy Market Commission
On 27 February 2020, the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) released a final rule determination in which it decided to amend the National Energy Retail Rules (NERR) to limit the level of conditional discounts and conditional fees in new energy retail contracts to those "reasonable costs" which a retailer is likely to incur when consumer fails to satisfy a payment condition.
COAG Decision Regulation Impact Statement – Australian Energy Market Commission
On 27 February 2020, the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) released a final rule determination in which it decided to amend the National Electricity Rules and provide the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) with greater flexibility to refine and improve the methodology to determine Marginal Loss Factors (MLFs) in the National Electricity Market (NEM).
On 28 November 2019, legislation was passed to amend the Defence Service Homes Act 1918 to expand eligibility to the Defence Service Homes Insurance Scheme to all current and former persons who have at least one days’ service in the Australian Defence Force (ADF), including reservists, peacekeepers, widows and widowers. These amendments will take effect from 1 January 2020.
Prior to these amendments, eligibility was limited to those who have seen war like service or those currently serving in the ADF with at least four years’ service (or eight years for reservists) and their widows/widowers. The measure was a 2019 election commitment.
Independent Review – Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
On 4 February 2020, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) made the Competition and Consumer (Consumer Data Right) Rules 2020.
The Consumer Data Right (CDR) gives consumers the right to safely access data about them, held by businesses, and direct this information be transferred to trusted third parties of their choice. The Rules supplement the CDR legislation by specifying obligations on data holder businesses and accredited data recipient businesses.
Regulation Impact Statement for consultation – Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
On 14 February 2020, the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources released a RIS for consultation that explores options to address concerns with the power imbalance between car dealers and manufacturers.
This RIS identifies four options for regulatory intervention which will have a positive net benefit. Together these options seek to address the identified problems in the new car retailing sector in scope for this RIS:
COAG Decision Regulation Impact Statement – Australian Energy Market Commission
On 20 February 2020, the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) released the final rule determination and final rule titled National Electricity Amendment (Improving Transparency and Extending Duration of MT PASA) Rule 2020.
The final rule improves transparency of the medium-term projected assessment of system adequacy (MT PASA) process, reduces asymmetry of generation availability information in the market, and extends the period in which generation availability is published from two to three years. The AEMC is satisfied that the Rule will, or is likely to, contribute to the achievement of the National Electricity Objective (NEO) and provide benefits for market participants because the Rule is likely to:
Australian Communications and Media Authority
On 17 February 2020, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) wrote to the Office of Best Practice Regulation (OBPR), advising the authority to certify Regulation Impact Statements (RISs) will be delegated to General Manager-level (SES Band 2) and above officers in the ACMA.
This is consistent with changes to improve flexibility in the RIS process by allowing agencies to delegate the certification authority to any Senior Executive Service (SES) level officers.
To ensure transparency, a decision to depart from the default RIS certification authority (Secretary, Deputy Secretary, or Chief Executive) is published on the OBPR website.
Regulation Impact Statement – Therapeutic Goods Administration
On 12 December 2019, the Minister for Health amended the Therapeutic Goods (Medical Devices) Regulations 2002 to incorporate reforms to the Australian medical devices regulatory framework.
The amendments address the rapid emergence of new technologies and rapid uptake of personalised medical devices; the continued need for international alignment; and the lack of suitable alternative mechanisms to manage issues with personalised medical devices.
The amendments:
COAG Consultation Regulation Impact Statement – COAG Transport and Infrastructure Council
On 1 July 2019, the National Transport Commission (NTC) released for public consultation, a Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) examining the safe operation of automated vehicles on Australian roads.
The RIS has been prepared in accordance with Council of Australian Governments (COAG) requirements for the purpose of eliciting information to inform a decision by the COAG Transport and Infrastructure Council on possible national regulatory arrangements for the on-road operation of automated vehicles.
On 17 October 2019, the Government introduced the Anti Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2019 to Parliament.
The Bill amends the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter‑Terrorism Financing Act 2006 and the Criminal Code 1995, to implement the second phase of reforms in response to the recommendations of the Report on the statutory review of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 and associated Rules and Regulations.
The Bill contains a range of measures to strengthen Australia’s capabilities to address money laundering and terrorism financing risks, and generate regulatory efficiencies, including amendments to: