Published Impact Analyses

Regulation Impact Statement – Department of the Treasury

On 7 December 2017, the Government introduced the Treasury Laws Amendment (Enhancing Whistleblower Protections) Bill 2017 to amend the whistleblower protections in the Corporations Act 2001, so that a single strengthened whistleblower protection regime covers the corporate, financial and credit sectors.

Whistleblower protection regimes aim to encourage individuals with internal knowledge of an organisation to disclose wrongdoing. The proposed changes respond to concerns the existing regime has gaps in coverage, and has inadequate and unclear protections. The proposal will primarily affect companies and other entities that will be required to develop whistleblower policies and/or potentially deal with greater whistleblowing activity.

Regulation Impact Statement – Department of Agriculture and Water Resources

On 7 December 2017 the Government introduced the Export Control Bill 2017 into the Senate.

The Bill consolidates existing export-related provisions into a new agricultural export legislative framework. The Bill seeks to make the export legislative framework easier to understand, administer and use, and help safeguard Australia’s reputation as a reliable, high-quality source of exports for trading partners. 

A Regulation Impact Statement was prepared by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, and was assessed as compliant and consistent with best practice by the Office of Best Practice Regulation.

The Department estimates the revised framework will reduce regulatory costs by $388,000 a year.

On 7 December 2017, the Government introduced the Security of Critical Infrastructure Bill 2017 to Parliament.

Deemed Diseases Legislative Instrument (the ‘Deemed Diseases List’) for the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (SRC Act) – Department of Employment

On 1 October 2017, the above legislative instrument was scheduled to sunset. However the Department of Employment has decided to remake the instrument  as the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Specified Diseases and Employment) Instrument 2017, with minor amendments.

COAG Consultation Regulation Impact Statement – Legislative and Governance Forum on Consumer Affairs

On 16 November 2017, the Australian Government Department of the Treasury released a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) on behalf of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Legislative and Governance Forum on Consumer Affairs. The RIS explores possible options to reduce consumer detriment arising from ticket reselling for live performance and sporting events in Australia.

Although ticket reselling can provide a consumer benefit, a number of detriments can also occur. These include inflated prices, misleading information affecting informed choice, scams and fraud. Potential options canvassed in the Consultation RIS range from a consumer education campaign through to a national prohibition on ticket reselling.

COAG Consultation Regulation Impact Statement – Consumer Affairs Australia and New Zealand

On 21 November 2017, the Australian Government Department of the Treasury released a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) on behalf of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG Legislative and Governance Forum on Consumer Affairs. The RIS explores possible options to improve outcomes and protections for consumers who pay paper billing fees.

Health Insurance (Approval of Billing Agents) Guidelines (No. 1) 2004 and the Health Insurance (Billing Agents – Conditions of Approval) Determination (No. 1) 2004 – Department of Health

On 1 October 2017, the above legislative instruments were scheduled to sunset. However the Department of Health has decided to remake and combine the instruments as the Health Insurance (Approved Billing Agents) Instrument 2017, without significant amendments.  

The guidelines provide rules that the Health Insurance Commission must comply with when considering whether to approve a person or body as a billing agent. The determination sets out the conditions to which approval of a billing agent under section 20AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973 is subject.

Regulation Impact Statement – Department of the Treasury

On 19 October 2017 the Government introduced the Treasury Laws Amendment (Banking Measures No 1) Bill 2017 to Parliament.

The Bill amends the Banking Act 1959 to provide the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) with the power to make rules that would apply to the provision of finance by lenders that are not Authorised deposit-taking institutions (non-ADI lenders).  In the first instance, non-ADI lenders that meet appropriate criteria will need to register with APRA.  APRA would also have the power to make other rules applying to non-ADI lenders to promote financial system stability should circumstances warrant.

Health Insurance (Approved Pathology Undertakings) Approval 2002 – Department of Health

On 1 October 2017, the above legislative instrument was scheduled to sunset. However the Department of Health has decided to remake the instrument without significant amendments.  

The instrument provides the approved form of undertaking to be given by persons who wish to become approved pathology practitioners or approved pathology authorities under the Health Insurance Act 1973.

Consistent with Government best practice regulation requirements for sunsetting instruments, The Department of Health, after consultation, has assessed the instrument as operating effectively and efficiently. Therefore, a Regulation Impact Statement is not required for remaking this instruments without significant amendments.

Regulation Impact Statement - Department of Infrastructure and Transport

The Minister for Infrastructure and Transport has made Regulations to strengthen airside security at Australia’s nine major airports. The regulations require screening on entry to and within security restricted areas (SRAs) applied randomly and unpredictably, identification checks to verify a person’s identity and authority to be in the SRA, and security awareness training for airport and airline workers who conduct regular duties within the SRA.

The regulations provide for the most flexible and effective arrangement to comply with international standards and reduce the risk of unlawful interference from insiders. The regulations will result in additional regulatory costs of $720,000 per annum.